Washington statute
RCW 9.94A.565 — Governor's powers
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Chapter 9.94A: Sentencing Reform Act Of 1981, Revised Code of Washington.
Full text of RCW 9.94A.565
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the official text of the Revised Code of Washington from the Code Reviser's published files; it is not the official statutes of the State of Washington.
(1) Nothing in chapter 1, Laws of 1994 or chapter 10.95 RCW shall ever be interpreted or construed as to reduce or eliminate the power of the governor to grant a pardon or clemency to any individual on an individual case-by-case basis. However, the people recommend that:
(a) Any incarcerated individual subject to total confinement for life without the possibility of parole not be considered for release until the incarcerated individual has been judged to no longer be a threat to society;
(b) Incarcerated individuals who have been convicted of a sex offense be held to the utmost scrutiny under this subsection regardless of age; and
(c) Release take the form of a commutation that includes a period of law-abiding behavior in the community.
(2) Nothing in this section shall ever be interpreted or construed to grant any release for the purpose of reducing prison overcrowding. Furthermore, the governor shall provide twice yearly reports on the activities and progress of individuals subject to total confinement for life without the possibility of parole who are released through executive action during his or her tenure. These reports shall continue for not less than 10 years after the release of the individual or upon the death of the released individual.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.