Politics
Gavin Newsom commutes all 548 death sentences in California
November 5, 2026 at 08:27 PM
Coverage
3 reports
TGThe Guardian
Gavin Newsom commutes more than 500 death sentences in California
(opens the publisher’s site)
CNCNN
Newsom commutes sentences of all California death row prisoners
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
California Gov Newsom commutes death sentences for all 548 people on death row
(opens the publisher’s site)California Governor Gavin Newsom has commuted the death sentences of all 548 people on death row to life without the possibility of parole.
- Newsom announced the commutation on Thursday, converting the sentences of 529 men and 19 women to life without parole.
- The commutation is the largest clearing of any US death row in modern history.
- Newsom, who issued a moratorium on executions in 2019 and dismantled San Quentin's execution chamber, said state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California's values.
- California has not executed a prisoner since 2006.