The sheriff of any county having a metropolitan form of government is authorized to establish a residential restitution program for the purpose of allowing persons convicted of felony offenses and sentenced to the workhouse of such counties to reimburse the victim for the value of property stolen, or for damage caused by such offenses. The sheriff may promulgate rules and regulations necessary to administer the program, and the program shall be carried out using present facilities and administrative staff. Before any inmate is accepted into a restitution program, the inmate shall enter into an agreement to abide by the rules, regulations and special conditions established by the sheriff or the sheriff's designees. No inmate convicted of a felony for which the maximum punishment actually imposed is greater than five (5) years shall be eligible for such a program.