A county workhouse shall be under the direction, superintendence and government of the board of chosen freeholders who may appoint a workhouse master and such other employees as may be necessary and make such regulations, ordinances and by-laws, not contrary to the constitution or laws of this state, for the government of the workhouse and the confinement and labor of the inmates as they shall from time to time deem necessary or convenient.
N.J.S. § 30:8-32