Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department, or any city or county or any combination of cities or counties or cities and counties after notification to the department, may contract with private entities for the construction of correctional centers. The department may also contract with any city or county to place sentenced offenders with such city or county for housing and maintenance for the remainder of their sentence at a cost to be determined between the contracting parties.
§ 217.138, RSMo