Governor granted 27 pardons and 30 commutations on Oct. 22, 2026, the governor’s office said.

The office said the grantees were recommended by elected officials, correctional staff including a former prison warden, medical professionals, teachers, and community and faith leaders; the administration described clemency as recognizing rehabilitation and incentivizing accountability after conviction.

A pardon acknowledges rehabilitation and successful reintegration; the governor’s office said pardons may remove counterproductive barriers to employment and public service and restore civic rights and responsibilities.

A commutation recognizes exceptional post-conviction rehabilitation and generally shortens a sentence so the person can become eligible to go before the Board of Parole Hearings at an earlier date; the release said the board considers input from crime victims and survivors and district attorneys and that its work has resulted in a very low recidivism rate following release.

The governor’s office said victims, survivors and witnesses can register with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Office of Victims and Survivors Rights and Services for updates; the release provided a toll-free number, 1-877-256-6877, for confidential registration or questions about victim services.

While in office, the governor has granted a total of 303 pardons, 199 commutations and 45 reprieves, the office said. More information on the clemency process is available from the governor’s website.

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Gavin Newsom

Governor · Democrat

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