MADISON, Wis. — Governor Tony Evers has granted commutations to 14 people serving prison sentences in Wisconsin, becoming the first governor to issue commutations since former Governor Tommy Thompson’s administration.
The announcement Friday follows Evers’ decision earlier this year to reinstate the state’s commutation process after it had gone unused for decades. The governor signed two executive orders establishing a process for reviewing applications and creating a Commutation Advisory Board.
Unlike a pardon, which restores certain civil rights after a person has completed their sentence, a commutation can modify a sentence someone is currently serving. Depending on the circumstances, it could make an incarcerated person eligible for parole or supervised release sooner, although a commutation does not necessarily mean immediate release.
The governor’s advisory board reviewed 24 applications during public hearings held in August and September. 14 individuals were recommended for commutations and received approval from Evers, while the remaining 10 applications were denied.
According to the governor’s office, the review process considers several factors, including public safety, the impact on victims and their families, an applicant’s conduct while incarcerated, and evidence of rehabilitation through education, treatment and other programs.
Evers has also issued more than 2,400 pardons during his time in office, the most of any governor in the state’s history.
A list of the approved commutations can be found here.
