California Governor Gavin Newsom commutes sentences of 548 death row inmates

California Governor Gavin Newsom has commuted the death sentences of all 548 inmates on the state's death row to life in prison, BBC News US, Sky News, Reuters, The Independent, and PBS all reported on November 5, 2026. PBS added that the sentences were commuted to life without parole. In a letter quoted by BBC News US, Governor Newsom stated that the state can now let the offenders die in obscurity while forever remembering and honoring the victims. [1][2][3][4][5][6]

BBC News US reported that the state of California has historically maintained the largest population of death row inmates in the United States. Only 13 inmates have been executed since voters in the state reinstated the death penalty in 1978, according to BBC News US. [1]

The decision is largely symbolic because California has not executed an inmate since 2006, BBC News US reported. Experts noted that the move could save millions of dollars in annual court costs. [1]

The governor of California serves as the head of government of the state and commander in chief of the California National Guard and the California State Guard. Governor Newsom's term in office will conclude in January, as reported by BBC News US and The Independent. [1][5][7]