By — Amna Nawaz Amna Nawaz By — Molly Mazilu Molly Mazilu By — Solveig Rennan Sandbulte Solveig Rennan Sandbulte Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/newsom-plans-to-commute-all-of-californias-death-sentences Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio California Gov. Gavin Newsom commuted the state’s entire death row population to life in prison without parole. The decision could grant clemency to 548 people. Newsom had previously put a moratorium on executions in the state in 2019, but left hundreds on death row. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Robin Maher of the Death Penalty Information Center. Listen to this Segment By — Amna Nawaz Amna Nawaz Amna Nawaz serves as co-anchor and co-managing editor of PBS News Hour. @IAmAmnaNawaz By — Molly Mazilu Molly Mazilu By — Solveig Rennan Sandbulte Solveig Rennan Sandbulte Solveig Rennan Sandbulte is a producer of national affairs for PBS News Hour and Horizons.
Newsom plans to commute all of California's death sentences
In short
The governor intends to commute every capital sentence in the state to life in prison without parole. This expansive clemency initiative is expected to impact 548 people who are presently awaiting execution. The move directly builds upon a 2019 moratorium on state executions that had previously halted the practice while still leaving hundreds of individuals housed on death row.
Key points
- Hundreds of incarcerated individuals on death row will now face life in prison without pa…: Hundreds of incarcerated individuals on death row will now face life in prison without parole.
- The broad clemency action resolves the long-term status of inmates left in limbo after th…: The broad clemency action resolves the long-term status of inmates left in limbo after the 2019 moratorium.
- Capital punishment sentences across the entire state will be systematically reduced throu…: Capital punishment sentences across the entire state will be systematically reduced through executive power.