Clemency

The California Constitution gives the Governor the authority to grant clemency, which includes commutations of sentence and pardons.

On November 5, 2026, Governor Newsom announced his decision to commute (change) every California death sentence to a sentence of life in prison without parole. The same change will be made to every death sentence. The offenders will remain in prison and are not eligible for release.

The commutations will not go into effect until the necessary legal steps are completed. For more information on this process, click here.

• The Governor’s Open Letter to Californians about his decision

• Information for victims

• The Governor’s request to the California Supreme Court 

• Explanatory Statement

• List of Intended Clemency Recipients

• List of Intended Clemency Recipients Twice Convicted of a Felony

Victims

Victims registered with the Office of Victims and Survivor Rights and Services (Victim Services) will be notified when the commutations go into effect.   

Victims who are not registered or have changed their contact information are encouraged to register or update their registration. Registration is a quick and confidential process. Registered victims receive notice about their cases, assistance with restitution collection, and information about how to enforce their rights and receive services.   

The Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services can support you. For questions about this notice, or for support and resources: email victimservices@cdcr.ca.gov or call 1-877-256-6877.  

If you would like to speak to a counselor for people in crisis, confidentially and free of charge, dial or send a text to 988, or visit 988lifeline.org, or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).  

Contact

Click here for more information or to submit a message.

Read the Governor’s reports on clemency

• 2025 Executive Report on Pardons, Commutations of Sentence, and Reprieves (PDF)
• 2024 Executive Report on Pardons, Commutations of Sentence, and Reprieves (PDF)
• 2023 Executive Report on Pardons, Commutations of Sentence, and Reprieves (PDF)
• 2022 Executive Report on Pardons, Commutations of Sentence, and Reprieves (PDF)
• 2021 Executive Report on Pardons, Commutations of Sentence, and Reprieves (PDF)
• 2020 Executive Report on Pardons, Commutations of Sentence, and Reprieves (PDF)
• 2019 Executive Report on Pardons, Commutations of Sentence, and Reprieves (PDF)

For clemency reports issued by past administrations, please visit California Agency Reports (Agency: Governor) or California State Archives.

Apply for clemency

Clemency can take the form of a commutation of sentence or a pardon.

• Commutation of sentence: The Governor can reduce the sentence of an individual serving a sentence in a California prison. For the commutation application form and additional information, see Commutations.
• Pardon: A pardon provides relief from punishment and restores some civic rights for individuals who have been convicted of crimes in California and have completed their sentences. For the pardon application form and additional information, see Pardons.

The Governor is not required to consider an application and there is no set timeline for review. There is no court hearing and no application fee. You may apply for clemency without a lawyer. The Judicial Council of California provides clemency self-help information and the California State Bar offers referrals for no- and low-cost legal services.

The Board of Parole Hearings provides additional information about the clemency process. Attorneys may contact the Office of the State Public Defender for technical assistance on parole and clemency matters.