Governor commutes sentences of all prisoners on California's Death Row

Governor Newsom - Official portrait

Source: CMN

In a historic move - California Governor Gavin Newsom has commuted the sentences of all 548 people on California's death row - more than a quarter of the people on death row in the United States.

Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network, which campaigns against capital punishment issues the following response:

'Today's historic decision by Gov Gavin Newsom demonstrates how justice can be rooted in mercy and restoration instead of death and retribution. It is an incredibly encouraging and historic witness for life and advances human dignity.

In courageously signing the largest commutation in world history, the governor has saved the lives of 548 men and women by changing their sentences from the death penalty to life without parole. He has given each of these individuals a tangible sign of hope and a chance for rehabilitation.

Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) believes in the God-given dignity of every person, no matter the harm one has caused or suffered. We therefore celebrate that today's decision underscores the sacred value of 548 lives and leaves open the possibility for repair and transformation to the greatest extent possible. Every person deserves the opportunity to transform hurt and suffering into healing, redemption, and wholeness.

At the same time, we bear witness to the incomparable suffering that the families and loved ones of murder victims endure. We hear the cry for justice and accountability that grave harm rightly deserves, and we continue to hold them in prayer.

By acting on clemency, Gov Newsom has demonstrated the kind of moral clarity and political courage that defines lasting leadership. He has set a national standard we pray will be emulated by other governors - namely Gov Mike DeWine in Ohio, Gov Laura Kelly in Kansas, and Gov Kay Ivey in Alabama.

CMN invites Catholics and people of goodwill to join us in thanking Gov Newsom for his bold and courageous action."

Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy added in a message to supporters: "Thank you to the thousands of you faithful advocates from CMN's network who have been lending your voices to the resounding chorus urging Gov Newsom to take this merciful action! This has been years in the making.

The scripture of Micah is on my heart and mind as I sit with this announcement: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

This decision of clemency is this scripture in its fullness.

I was also really moved by the governor's statement about how "this decision is among the most difficult of (his) career … because it …may surface excruciating memories for victims' families." We bear witness to the incomparable suffering that the families and loved ones of murder victims endure. We hear the cry for justice and accountability that grave harm rightly deserves, and we continue to hold them in prayer.

Truly, it takes both moral and political courage to make such a decision. Thank you, Gov. Newsom, for your heroic decision to extend mercy and compassion to all the people on California's death row. I invite you to join me in thanking Gov Newsom."

In the United States, prisoners typically spend more than a decade on death row; the average is about 22 years, though some wait 30-40 years

Headquartered in Washington, DC, Catholic Mobilizing Network is a national organization that mobilizes Catholics and people of goodwill to end the death penalty, advance justice solutions in alignment with Catholic values and promote healing through restorative justice approaches and practices. For more information and to join the movement, visit: www. catholicsmobilizing.org.