(a) The Department shall establish resources and programs for the treatment of persons with mental illnesses and serious mental disorders, either in a separate facility or as part of other institutions or facilities of the Department. The Department shall coordinate its work with any other state agency to reduce overlapping or duplication of functions and services.

(b) The Commissioner is empowered to transfer to other appropriate state institutions for care and treatment inmates who have been determined to have mental illnesses. Transfer may also be made to such facilities in other jurisdictions, or to municipal or private facilities, upon the consent of responsible administrators of such facilities. Such transfers shall occur only as set forth at § 5153 of Title 16. Inmates to be transferred as contemplated herein who have not reached the age of 18 years and have been found nonamenable to the processes of Family Court shall not be transferred to the Delaware Psychiatric Center. Nonamenable inmates under the age of 18 years shall be transferred to appropriate residential treatment facilities within the State of Delaware or in other states.

(c) When, in the judgment of the administrator of the institution to which an inmate has been transferred, the inmate has recovered from the condition which occasioned the transfer, the inmate shall be returned to the Department.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 6525; 54 Del. Laws, c. 349, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 76 Del. Laws, c. 322, §§ 4-6; 78 Del. Laws, c. 224, § 22.