Assignment of inmates by Department of Corrections.

(1) The department shall exert its best efforts to assign inmates to the corporation, or the private sector business authorized under this part, who have not less than 1 nor more than 5 years remaining before their tentative release dates. Beginning January 1, 1998, the department shall maintain the assignment of at least 60 percent of inmates to all correctional work programs collectively to the corporation, or to the private sector business authorized under this part, who have less than 10 years remaining before their tentative release dates. This 60-percent requirement does not apply to any correctional work program, or private sector business authorized under this part, within an institution for any year in which, as of January 1 of that year, the average years remaining before the tentative release date of all inmates assigned to that institution exceeds 12 years.

(2) The department may not remove an inmate once assigned to the corporation or to the private sector business authorized under this part, except upon request of or consent of such corporation or private sector business or for the purposes of population management, for inmate conduct that may subject the inmate to disciplinary confinement or loss of gain-time, or for security and safety concerns specifically set forth in writing to the corporation or private sector business.