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As Gov. Newsom’s Term Nears End, Advocacy Groups Urge Him to Commute Life Sentences

October 14, 2026

Grassroots advocacy organizations, including Drop LWOP and the California Coalition for Women Prisoners, are urging Governor Gavin Newsom to commute sentences for over 5,000 California prisoners serving life without parole before his term ends in January 2027. These advocates argue that people serving LWOP, which they call "death by incarceration," have demonstrated rehabilitation and deserve a second chance, particularly since 68% are Black or Latinx and most were young first-time offenders. The push comes amid reports that Newsom is separately considering commuting death sentences for all 563 death row inmates to life without parole.

Who is affected

  • More than 5,000 individuals currently serving life without parole (LWOP) sentences in California
  • 563 prisoners on California's death row (potentially affected by separate commutation discussions)
  • Families of incarcerated people serving LWOP
  • Victims' families who were promised finality in sentencing
  • Black and Latinx communities (representing approximately 68% of those serving LWOP)
  • Drop LWOP coalition members
  • California Coalition for Women Prisoners
  • Anti-Violence, Safety and Accountability Project (ASAP)
  • Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB)
  • Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
  • Victims' rights groups, law enforcement organizations, and opposing organizations (CJLF, Crime Victims United, PORAC)

What action is being taken

  • Drop LWOP and allied advocacy organizations are asking Governor Newsom to commute sentences of more than 5,000 individuals serving life sentences
  • Advocacy groups held a September 29 news conference and rally on the west steps of the State Capitol
  • Governor Newsom is reportedly holding discussions with key advisers about sparing the lives of all 563 death row prisoners
  • The Criminal Justice Legal Foundation and its allies have challenged new California Board of Parole Hearings regulations regarding resentencing or commutation recommendations
  • Barbara Chavez is championing criminal justice reform and campaigning to end LWOP sentences through the Inside/Outside Policy Fellowship at the Ella Baker Center

Why it matters

  • This issue has profound implications for criminal justice reform and the balance between rehabilitation and punishment in California's prison system. Life without parole sentences disproportionately affect communities of color, with 68% of those serving LWOP being Black or Latinx, raising questions about systemic racial inequities. The debate centers on whether people can genuinely change and deserve second chances versus honoring commitments made to victims' families about sentence finality. From a human perspective, advocates argue that hope is essential for preventing despair and suicide among the incarcerated, while evidence from cases like Barbara Chavez demonstrates that formerly incarcerated people can successfully reintegrate and contribute to society. The decision could affect thousands of lives and set a precedent for how California approaches sentencing reform.

What's next

  • Governor Newsom must make a final decision on whether to commute death sentences for 563 death row inmates to life without parole before leaving office in January 2027
  • Governor Newsom will need to decide whether to grant commutations for the more than 5,000 individuals serving LWOP sentences before his term ends
  • The California Board of Parole Hearings will continue to operate under new regulations that provide processes for recommending resentencing or commutation for some incarcerated people, including those serving LWOP sentences (though these regulations face legal challenges)

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint