California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced plans to commute the death sentences of all 548 people on death row in the state. Instead of capital punishment, these individuals would serve life in prison without the possibility of parole. The decision, impacting 529 men and 19 women, could fundamentally alter the approach to criminal justice in America’s most populous state.
The plan is not yet finalized for all cases. For 382 inmates, approval from the California Supreme Court will be required. Newsom unveiled his proposal on November 5, 2026, just before the end of his eight-year tenure as governor.
Newsom Seeks to End All Existing Death Sentences
Gavin Newsom has been a longtime opponent of the death penalty. In 2019, shortly after taking office, he announced a moratorium on executions, halting all scheduled executions in the state, though the death sentences themselves remained in place.
This latest move goes much further. The governor now intends to use his clemency powers to commute all 548 death sentences to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
In a public letter to the people of California, Newsom argued that state executions are incompatible with American values and weaken public trust in the legal system.
He also cited the risk of wrongful convictions, disparities in how death sentences are applied, and whether an imperfect justice system can truly guarantee fair outcomes in every case.
California Supreme Court Approval Needed for 382 Inmates
Although Newsom announced his intention to commute all sentences, the California Constitution limits his authority in certain cases.
If a person has been repeatedly convicted of serious offenses, the governor requires a recommendation from the California Supreme Court to grant clemency. This condition applies to 382 prisoners, about 70 percent of all death row inmates.
The remaining 166 cases can be addressed by the governor without additional court approval.
If the process is completed, those sentenced will remain incarcerated. The commutation would not mean release, overturning sentences, or eligibility for parole.
Victims’ Families and Prosecutors Speak Out Against Plan
Newsom’s proposal has sparked mixed reactions. Civil rights organizations welcomed the move, highlighting longstanding problems with the use of the death penalty.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has long pointed to racial disparities in the justice system and the risk of wrongful convictions. Supporters see the decision as a significant step in curbing capital punishment.
In contrast, some prosecutors and groups representing victims’ families opposed the plan. Critics argue that death sentences resulted from legal trials, with guilt determined by juries and judges.
Some families of victims also object to sweeping commutation without individual case-by-case review, claiming it could reopen painful wounds and deepen feelings of injustice.
No Executions in California Since 2006
California has the largest death row population in the United States. However, no execution has been carried out there since January 2006.
In 2019, Newsom ordered a moratorium and halted planned executions. Later, inmates were moved from San Quentin’s death row to other prison facilities.
Despite this, the death penalty remains part of California law. Voters supported retaining it in referendums in 2012 and 2016, rejecting proposals for full abolition.
This makes it important to distinguish between commuting current sentences and abolishing capital punishment. Newsom’s plan affects existing inmates, not the ongoing legal possibility of future death sentences.
Decision Comes Before End of Newsom’s Term
Gavin Newsom is preparing to leave the governor’s office, a post he has held since 2019. His term ends in January 2027.
The decision to commute death sentences is among the most significant actions in his final months. If all required legal steps are completed, California could remove all current death sentences.
This would not mean executions are permanently ended in the state. A future governor could resume them for new sentences, since the death penalty remains enshrined in law.
Cases like this continue to spark debate in the US about the limits of capital punishment, its implementation, and the rights of those sentenced. For more, see the article “Botched Execution in the US: Woman Survives Two Lethal Injections.”
California Poised for a Historic Change
If the Supreme Court grants the necessary approvals and Newsom completes the process, all 548 inmates would see their sentences reduced to life without the possibility of parole.
This would constitute one of the largest commutations in US history. The decision demonstrates that even in a country where the death penalty remains legal in many states, its use can change drastically.
The outcome depends on the legal review of each case. For now, Newsom has simply announced his intention and begun the formal steps necessary to implement it.
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This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
