Sacramento, CA…Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has granted 21 commutations.  The California Constitution gives the Governor the authority to grant clemency, including in the form of a commutation. A clemency grant recognizes a person’s efforts in self-development, rehabilitation and prospects for successful community reentry. A clemency grant does not forgive or minimize the harm caused by the crime. People currently serving sentences in California prisons may apply for a commutation.

The Governor regards this responsibility as an important part of the criminal justice system that can incentivize accountability and rehabilitation, increase the safety of the people working and serving sentences in our jails and prisons, increase public safety by removing counterproductive barriers to successful reentry and correct unjust results in the legal system.

All of the commutation grants made today will allow the inmates to go before the Board of Parole Hearings for a hearing at which the Parole Commissioners assess whether the inmate is suitable for release from prison.

The Governor weighs numerous factors in his review of clemency applications, including an applicant’s self-development and conduct since the offense, whether the grant is consistent with public safety and in the interests of justice and the impact of a grant on the community.

Copies of the gubernatorial clemency certificates granted today can be found here.

Additional information on executive clemency can be found here.

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