There is hereby created a department of corrections.

     The head of the department of corrections is the commission of corrections.

     The department of corrections created under section 1 of Act No. 232 of the Public Acts of 1953, being section 791.201 of the Compiled Laws of 1948, is transferred by a type I transfer to the department of corrections.

     The commission of corrections shall consist of 5 members, not more than 3 of whom shall be members of the same political party, appointed by the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate. The term of office of each member shall be 4 years, except that of members first appointed 2 shall be appointed for 1 year, 1 shall be appointed for 2 years, 1 shall be appointed for 3 years and 1 shall be appointed for 4 years. A member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be appointed for the unexpired term. The commission shall elect from its members such officers as it deems advisable. A majority of the commission members shall be required to constitute a quorum.

     The principal executive officer of the department is the director of the department of corrections. The director shall be appointed by the commission and serve at its pleasure.