California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday he is commuting all death sentences in the state, sparing roughly a quarter of the nation’s entire death row population in a move he acknowledged “may surface excruciating memories for victims’ families.”

The decision shifts “all Californian death sentences to life without the possibility of parole” and applies to 548 people, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. It goes into effect immediately for anyone with a single felony conviction; the California Supreme Court will have to review the clemency decision for those with two or more felony convictions.

“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,” Newsom said in a lengthy letter addressed to all Californians. “I know we cannot execute people in our imperfect legal system and remain true to our core values, first among them justice and human decency.”

Newsom underscored his long-held position against state-sanctioned executions. He signed an executive order announcing a moratorium on executions shortly after assuming office in 2019. Still, he acknowledged that those sentenced to death “caused indescribable suffering to victims, their families, communities, and our state as a whole.”

“Many Californians feel that those who commit brutal crimes deserve to die,” he wrote. “But as Governor, I have concluded the state cannot morally kill them. I do, however, pray that this action will finally separate the memories of the victims of these crime from the fate of those who harmed them.”

California has executed 13 people since 1976. The most recent execution was of Clarence Ray Allen on Jan. 17, 2006. Allen was convicted of burglary, first-degree murder and conspiracy after trying to rob a store in Fresno and arranging a murder. While in prison, Allen also plotted the murders of his other informants, including the storeowner’s son, according to the state.

Newsom, who is term-limited, has not announced his plans after he leaves office in January 2027, but has indicated that he may launch a 2028 presidential bid.

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