California Governor Gavin Newsom made history this week by granting universal clemency to that state’s death row. The commutation means that 548 men and women will have their death sentences converted to life without parole. Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network, praised the move, stating that Gov. Newsom had given these individuals “a tangible sign of hope and a chance for rehabilitation”.
The move comes at a time when support for the death penalty is falling nationally. According to a new Gallup poll, support for the death penalty fell below 50% for the first time since 1971, with 49% in favor and 45% against. Gallup reported that the decrease was largely driven by declining support of the practice among Democrats and younger generations of U.S. adults.