§ 240. Office of probation and correctional alternatives. 1. There shall be in the division of criminal justice services an office of probation and correctional alternatives, hereinafter referred to in this article as "the office". The head of the office shall be the director of probation and correctional alternatives, who shall be appointed by the commissioner, subject to the approval of the governor.

2. The director shall serve as special advisor to the governor regarding matters pertaining to probation and alternatives to incarceration. The director shall, in consultation with the commissioner, coordinate and make recommendations relating to the type and nature of alternative to incarceration programs needed to reduce incarceration where the purpose of such incarceration can be adequately served by alternative programs and shall work with local probation departments and the commissioner to enhance and develop probation services and alternative to incarceration programs throughout the state.

3. The commissioner, in consultation with the director, shall appoint staff and perform such other functions to ensure the efficient operation of the office within the amounts made available therefor by appropriation.

4. As used in this article, the term "director" shall mean the director of the office of probation and correctional alternatives, "office" shall mean the office of probation and correctional alternatives, "commissioner" shall mean the commissioner of the division of criminal justice services and "division" shall mean the division of criminal justice services.