Section 17. Whenever the department is of the opinion that discharge of a person from its control at the age limit stated in section sixteen would be physically dangerous to the public, the department shall make an order directing that the person remain subject to its control beyond the period and shall make application to the committing court for a review of that order by the court. The order and application may be made at any time prior to the date of discharge stated in said section sixteen. The application shall be accompanied by a written statement of the facts upon which the department bases its opinion that discharge from its control at the time stated would be physically dangerous to the public, but no such application shall be dismissed nor shall the order be discharged, merely because of its form or an asserted insufficiency of its allegations; every order shall be reviewed upon its merits.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Chapter 120 - Department of Youth Services and Massachusetts Training Schools
Section 1 - Corporate Status of Department of Youth Services; Holding and Investing Trust Funds
Section 3 - Appointment of Superintendents, Chaplains and Physicians
Section 4 - Rules and Regulations; By-Laws
Section 5 - Examination and Study of Children Committed; Re-Examinations; Records; Discharge
Section 6a - Correction of Socially Harmful Tendencies
Section 7 - Powers and Duties of Superintendent
Section 8 - Bond and Accounts of Superintendents; Accounting to Commissioner of Youth Services
Section 10b - Involuntary Room Confinement Prohibited
Section 12 - Release Under Supervision; Placement Into Families or Homes
Section 13 - Escape; Breach of Parole; Arrest; Detention
Section 13a - Compensation for Property Damage Caused by Inmates; Notice of Damage; Claim; Filing
Section 15 - Transfers From Massachusetts Reformatory and Reformatory for Women
Section 16 - Discharge of Persons Committed as Delinquent Child or Youthful Offender
Section 17 - Control Beyond Age Limit; Persons Physically Dangerous to Public
Section 18 - Notice of Application for Review of Order; Hearing; Appointment of Counsel; Court Order
Section 19 - Continued Control; Later Discharge; Transfer to Appropriate Institutions
Section 22 - Inquiry Into Effectiveness of Treatment Methods; Information; Annual Report; Contents
Section 23 - Power of Department to Act as Guardian of Children
Section 23a - Disposition of Unclaimed Money Held for Former Ward; Records
Section 24 - Expenditure of Gifts