(a) On the effective date of this act, the El Dorado correctional work facility shall be transferred to, consolidated with and become a part of the El Dorado correctional facility. All properties, moneys, appropriations, rights and authorities now vested in the El Dorado correctional work facility shall be transferred to and be vested in the El Dorado correctional facility. Whenever the El Dorado correctional work facility, or words of like effect, is referred to or designated by any statute, contract or other document, such reference or designation shall be deemed to apply to the El Dorado correctional facility.

(b) On the effective date of this act, officers and employees who, immediately prior to such date, were engaged in the performance of powers, duties or functions of the institution being transferred by subsection (a) and who, in the opinion of the secretary of corrections are necessary to perform the powers, duties and functions of the institution with which it is consolidated, shall be transferred to, and shall become officers and employees thereof. Any such officer or employee shall retain all retirement benefits and all rights of civil service which had accrued to or vested in such officer or employee prior to the effective date of this act. The service of each such officer and employee so transferred shall be deemed to have been continuous.