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Newsom plans to commute California's 548 death sentences to life without parole

The action covers 548 people, and Newsom's office says about 382 commutations would need California Supreme Court approval.

Published Nov 5, 2026 · 22:08 UTC17 reports

The short version

  • Governor Gavin Newsom announced he will commute every current California death sentence to life without parole, affecting 548 people.[The Guardian · CBS News · ABC News]
  • Newsom said state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California's values, and the announcement follows a 2019 execution moratorium.[CBS News]
  • Newsom's office says about 382 of the commutations require California Supreme Court approval, and the timing of that review is not yet known.[Deutsche Welle · CBS News]

Key facts

  • Newsom announced in an open letter that he will commute every current California death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole.[CBS News]
  • The commutations affect 548 people, including 529 men and 19 women, according to Newsom's office.[The Guardian · ABC News]
  • Newsom wrote that state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California's values and undermines the foundations of the legal system.[CBS News]
  • The California Constitution requires California Supreme Court approval before a governor can grant clemency to someone convicted of more than one felony.[CBS News]
  • Newsom's office says 382 of the commutations, roughly 70 percent, will require California Supreme Court approval.[Deutsche Welle]
  • Newsom imposed an execution moratorium in 2019, and California last carried out an execution in 2006.[CBS News]
  • California voters rejected ballot measures to repeal the death penalty in 2012 and 2016.[PBS NewsHour · CBS News]
  • The ACLU applauded the announcement, and its executive director said the death penalty is racist, error-prone, and inhumane.[PBS NewsHour]

What remains uncertain

  • Department of Corrections records showed 561 people on death row as of Tuesday, a figure that differs from Newsom's 548 and has not been explained.[NBC News]
  • Whether the California Supreme Court will approve the 382 commutations that require its review is not yet known.[Deutsche Welle · CBS News]
  • No effective date or implementation timeline for the commutations has been reported.[PBS NewsHour]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.