(a) No person shall be allowed to participate in any work-release program conducted by or for the Division of Correction if convicted of:
(1) A capital offense;
(2) Murder in the first degree, § 5-10-102;
(3) Rape, § 5-14-103;
(4) Kidnapping, § 5-11-102; or
(5) Aggravated robbery a second or subsequent time, § 5-12-103.
(b) However, this section shall not apply to persons participating in work-release programs on July 20, 1979.