(1) When any child under the age of 18 years is sentenced by any court of competent jurisdiction to the Department of Corrections, the Secretary of Juvenile Justice may transfer such child to the department for the remainder of the sentence, or until his or her 21st birthday, whichever results in the shorter term. If, upon such person’s attaining his or her 21st birthday, the sentence has not terminated, he or she shall be transferred to the Department of Corrections for placement in a youthful offender program, transferred to the supervision of the department, or be given any other transfer that may lawfully be made.
(2) If the child is under sentence for a term of years, after the department has supervised him or her for a sufficient length of time to ascertain that he or she has attained satisfactory rehabilitation, the department, upon determination that such action is in the best interests of both the child and society, may relieve the child from making further reports.
(3) When the child has, in the opinion of the department, so conducted himself or herself as to deserve a pardon, a commutation of sentence, or the remission in whole or in part of any fine, forfeiture, or penalty, the secretary may recommend that such clemency be extended to the child. In such case the secretary shall fully advise the Governor of the facts upon which such recommendation is based.
(4) The department shall grant gain-time for good conduct, may grant extra good-time allowances, and may declare a forfeiture thereof. If any child who was sentenced pursuant to s. 921.18 is transferred to the department, the department may determine the exact sentence of the child, but the sentence may not be longer than the maximum sentence that was imposed by the court pursuant to s. 921.18. All time spent in the department shall count toward the expiration of sentence. Any child transferred to the department may, at the discretion of the secretary, be returned to the Department of Corrections. (5) Any child who has been convicted of a capital felony while under the age of 18 years may not be released on probation without the consent of the Governor and two members of the Cabinet.
