### Reformatory Schools Ordinance 《感化院條例》

17. Order of detention
(1) When a youthful offender is convicted before any court of an offence punishable, in the case of an adult by a fine or by imprisonment, the court may, in lieu of any such sentence of fine or imprisonment, order such offender to be detained in a reformatory school; and such order shall take effect as a sentence of detention for a period of not less than 1 year and not more than 3 years, and in any case not longer than until such offender attains the age of 18 years, and the powers conferred under section 20A shall be exercisable upon the expiry of the said period of 1 year. (Replaced 32 of 1959 s. 4. Amended 66 of 1967 Schedule; 90 of 1988 s. 2)
(2) Before a sentence of detention is passed, the court shall consider any report or representations made by or on behalf of the Director of Social Welfare on the youthful offender’s physical and mental condition and his suitability for such sentence; and for such purpose the court may remand the said offender in custody by order made under subsection (4). (Replaced 32 of 1959 s. 4)
(3) An order of detention made in pursuance of this section may, if the court thinks fit, be made to take effect either immediately or at a later date specified therein, regard being had to the age or health of the youthful offender.
(4) If—
(a) an order of detention is made but is not to take effect immediately; or
(b) at the time specified for the order to take effect the youthful offender is unfit to be sent to a reformatory school; or
(c) the school to which the youthful offender is to be sent cannot be ascertained until inquiry has been made,
the court may make an order committing him either to custody in any place to which he might be committed on remand or to the custody of a relative or other fit person or institution named by the court and he shall be kept in that custody accordingly until he is sent to a reformatory school in pursuance of the order of detention. (Amended 30 of 1977 s. 8)

18. Religious persuasion of offender to be considered
In selecting the place of detention to which a youthful offender is to be sent the court shall have regard, so far as practicable, to the religious persuasion of the youthful offender.

### Reformatory Schools Ordinance 《感化院條例》

19. Duties and powers of manager
(1) It shall be the duty of the manager of a reformatory school to report to the Chief Executive immediately he considers it would be consistent with the welfare of a youthful offender for him to be discharged from the custody of the school.
(2) (Repealed 6 of 2003 s. 5)(Amended 21 of 1933 s. 7; 30 of 1977 s. 8; 17 of 1999 s. 3)

20. Discharge by Chief Executive
The Chief Executive may at any time discharge a youthful offender from the custody of any reformatory school.
(Replaced 66 of 1967 Schedule. Amended 17 of 1999 s. 3)

20A. Discharge by Director of Social Welfare
(1) Subject to section 17(1), the Director of Social Welfare may discharge a youthful offender from the custody of any reformatory school.
(2) The discharge of a youthful offender under subsection (1) may be on licence and the licence may be in such form and may be subject to such conditions as the Director thinks fit, and the Director may at any time revoke, or vary the conditions of, such licence.
(3) When a licence has been revoked, the Director may direct that the youthful offender to whom it related shall report in person to such place as may be specified in the direction; and if he fails so to report he may be apprehended without warrant by a police officer and taken to that place.
(4) Where a licence has been revoked and the youthful offender concerned is not discharged under subsection (1), any order made under section 26(1) shall revive and be in force during the period for which the youthful offender is detained.
(Added 66 of 1967 Schedule)

20B. Removal to another school
The Director of Social Welfare may at any time direct that a person detained in a reformatory school be removed from one such school to another such school.
(Added 66 of 1967 Schedule)

### Reformatory Schools Ordinance 《感化院條例》

21. Power to apprentice offender
(1) The manager of a reformatory school may, if the youthful offender consents thereto and with the approval of the Chief Executive, bind any youthful offender detained under this Ordinance as an apprentice notwithstanding that his period of detention has not expired. (Amended 30 of 1977 s. 8; 17 of 1999 s. 3)
(2)  Any youthful offender who is bound as aforesaid and who absconds from the service of his master shall be liable to be arrested without warrant and brought before a court of competent jurisdiction and shall be liable to imprisonment for 3 months and may be ordered by the court to return to the place in which he was detained before his apprenticeship there to complete his period of detention:
Provided that such youthful offender shall not be detained longer than until he attains the age of 18 years. 

22. Leave of absence
(1) The manager of a reformatory school may grant any youthful offender leave of absence from the reformatory school for such periods as may be prescribed.
(2) A youthful offender granted leave of absence shall reside during his leave at the address directed by the manager. Any youthful offender who contravenes the provisions of this subsection shall be liable to be punished in the manner prescribed by the rules of the reformatory school.
(3) Any youthful offender who without due cause does not return to the reformatory school at or before the expiration of the period for which he has been granted leave shall be deemed to have escaped from the reformatory school and the provisions of sections 29 and 31 shall apply and the said youthful offender shall be liable to be punished in the manner prescribed by the rules of the reformatory school.
(Added 6 of 1952 s. 2)

23. Classes of instruction outside reformatory
(1) The manager of a reformatory school may, in the interests of training, order any youthful offender to attend any class of instruction or to participate in any other activity outside the precincts of the reformatory school and conducted by persons other than members of the staff of the reformatory school.
(2) Any youthful offender shall be deemed, while absent from the reformatory school in pursuance of an order under this section, to be in legal custody.
(Added 6 of 1952 s. 2)