Massachusetts § 46 - Officers and employees of correctional institutions; prerequisites to retirement

Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 46 — Officers and employees of correctional institutions; prerequisites to retirement, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 46. Officers and employees of correctional institutions; prerequisites to retirement

Section 46. The state board of retirement upon the recommendation of the commissioner of correction may retire from active service and place upon a pension roll any officer of the Massachusetts correctional institutions or any jail or house of correction, or any person employed to instruct the prisoners in any Massachusetts correctional institution, as provided in section fifty-two of chapter one hundred and twenty-seven, or any other employee of the Massachusetts state correctional institutions, who has attained the age of sixty-five and has been employed in prison service in the commonwealth, with a good record for not less than twenty years; or who, without fault of his own, has become permanently disabled by injuries sustained in the performance of his duty; or who has performed faithful prison service for not less than thirty years; provided, that no officer of any jail or house of correction shall so be retired except upon the recommendation of the sheriff and county commissioners of the county, except in the county of Suffolk, where the recommendations as to the officers of the jail shall be made by the sheriff and the mayor of Boston, and, as to the officers of the house of correction, by the penal institutions commissioner and the mayor of Boston; and provided, further, that no such officer, instructor or employee shall be retired unless he began employment as such in one of the above-named institutions or the prison camp and hospital, or as an officer or instructor in one of the institutions named in section forty-seven, on or before June seventh, nineteen hundred and eleven. The word ''officer'', as used in this section and sections forty-seven and forty-eight, shall extend to include prison officer, correction officer and matron.

Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 46

What does Massachusetts General Laws § 46 cover?

Section 46 ("Officers and employees of correctional institutions; prerequisites to retirement") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Massachusetts § 46?

A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 46" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.

How does Massachusetts § 46 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.