(a) State inmates shall be employed at such labor, in such places and under such regulations within the state as may be determined by the Department of Corrections. The Department of Corrections is expressly authorized to establish posts, camps or stations in conjunction with labor, discipline or rehabilitation programs. The Department of Corrections is authorized to direct inmates to work at any labor and at any site except as provided otherwise by law. The Department of Corrections is further authorized to direct inmates to participate in programs designed to improve their physical or mental or psychological well-being; or programs designed to instill discipline and a sense of responsibility in state inmates and the Department of Corrections is expressly authorized to establish posts, camps or stations to implement such programs.

(b) The Department of Corrections is expressly authorized to adopt rules and regulations to expend funds, to enter contracts and to do any other activity reasonably necessary to establish, regulate and control the programs as outlined in subsection (a) above.

(c) The Department of Corrections shall establish rules and regulations for the operation of these programs as outlined in subsection (a) above to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to protect the public; and in no case shall an inmate convicted of capital murder; rape in the first degree; sodomy in the first degree be placed in a program as outlined in subsection (a) above.

(d) Participation in the programs as outlined in subsection (a) above shall not create any legal cause of action or theory of recovery except as expressly provided for by the constitution of the United States or of Alabama; or by the statutes of the United States or of Alabama.