Punishment for contempt shall be by imprisonment. The term of imprisonment shall not extend beyond the session at which it is inflicted. When either house shall direct the imprisonment of a person for a contempt the keeper of the jail of the county in which the seat of government is situated shall receive and detain the person in close confinement during the term fixed by the order of commitment, or until the detainee is discharged by vote of the committing body or due process of law.