In case of any pestilence or contagious sickness breaking out among the convicts, the corrections division [corrections department] may cause the convicts confined therein or any of them to be removed to some suitable place of security where such of them as may be sick shall receive necessary medical attention and such convicts must be returned as soon as may be to the penitentiary to be confined according to their respective sentences, if the same be unexpired.
NMS § 33-2-29