The Department of Corrections, which is hereby established as an administrative department, shall have the powers and duties granted to and imposed upon it by this article and by any other statutory provisions. In addition, the Department and Secretary of Corrections shall have all the powers and duties granted to and imposed upon the former Bureau and Commissioner of Correction prior to the effective date of this article and shall also have all the powers and duties formerly vested in and exercised by the General Counsel and the Office of General Counsel insofar as such powers and duties related to the administration, management and supervision of penal and correctional facilities, programs and services.
71 P.S. § 310-1