# Newsom Commutes 548 Death Row Sentences

> California Gov. Gavin Newsom commutes 548 death row sentences to life without parole, ending the largest death row in the Western Hemisphere.
- Title: Newsom Commutes 548 Death Row Sentences · Mother Jones
- Summary: California Gov. Gavin Newsom commutes 548 death row sentences to life without parole, ending the largest death row in the Western Hemisphere. California Gov.
- Keywords: gavin newsom, california, death penalty, commutation, life without parole, western hemisphere, Mother Jones
- Source: Mother Jones — https://motherjones.com/politics/2026/11/california-gavin-newsom-capital-punishment-death-penalty-commutations
- Author: Sophie Hurwitz
- Published: 2026-11-05T18:09:20+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: gavin newsom, california, death penalty, commutation, life without parole, western hemisphere
## Newsom's Final Action
California Gov. Gavin Newsom commutes 548 death row sentences to life without parole, ending the largest death row in the Western Hemisphere.

> State-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California's values.
## California's Death Row Status
California has not executed anyone since 2006, when Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger was governor.
## Newsom's Rationale
After nearly 30 years in public office, Newsom believes state-sanctioned killing undermines legal foundations and diminishes human dignity.

> I take this action because I firmly believe that state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California’s values, undermines the foundations of our legal system, and diminishes each of us.
## Current Death Penalty Context
The U.S. executed 33 people in 2026, with only 17 countries carrying out executions in 2025.
## Key takeaway

California Gov. Gavin Newsom commuted 548 death row sentences to life without parole, citing state-sanctioned killing as incompatible with California's values.