Got to say I am quite surprised by this. It is a whole separate bureau just to analyze where to send a prisoner. There is a whole  Offender Classification System includes medical, health, education, and some other determining factors as to where they go. The judge can just make a recommendation but they need to run it through this operation. Seems like an extraordinary waste of resources but looks like it is old law since 1930.

Pretty much explains it all: https://www.frostbussert.com/files/cj_v31n01_sp16_folder_vasquezbussert.pdf

Just seems weird, convicted felon has rights as to where he is placed to serve his term.