When inmates are to be used in any work authorized by sections 241.20 to 241.23, they shall be selected, with the approval of the commissioner of corrections, by the chief executive officer of any state adult correctional facility, in the following manner and order of preference:
Minn. Stat. § 241.23
(10846-14) 1935 c 297 s 4; 1959 c 263 s 2; 1971 c 24 s 22; 1979 c 102 s 13; 1983 c 264 s 2