Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 27, § 1

There shall be a department of correction, under the supervision and control of a commissioner of correction. The commissioner shall be the executive and administrative head of the department and all officers and employees of the department and all of the correctional institutions of the commonwealth shall be under his supervision and control. The position of commissioner shall be classified in accordance with section forty-five of chapter thirty and the salary shall be determined in accordance with section forty-six C of said chapter thirty and he shall devote his full time during business hours to the duties of his office. The secretary of public safety shall appoint, with the approval of the governor, the commissioner who shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary and may be removed by the secretary at any time, subject to the approval of the governor. Any person appointed to said office shall, at the time of his appointment, have had at least five years of adult correctional administrative experience and have an established record of high character and qualities of leadership.