A commutation does not automatically mean release or a shortened sentence, the governor's office noted. For one of the 14, Amanda Weaver, the commutation allows immediate release from confinement, followed by two years of extended supervision in the community. Weaver was sentenced in 2008 to 30 years of incarceration and 20 years of extended supervision for five counts of burglary. At her sentencing, the prosecution and defense jointly recommended five years of confinement and 12 years of extended supervision, according to the governor's office. Others involved in the burglaries received no more than three years of confinement.

The remaining 13 will not be released immediately, but some may see release sooner than they otherwise would have. For example, Touissant Harley's sentence was reduced to reflect a mandatory transition to parole by June 1, 2027.

Not all incarcerated people are eligible for parole. Under Wisconsin's Truth-in-Sentencing laws, a person convicted of a felony committed on or after Dec. 31, 1999, and sentenced to at least a year in prison is not eligible for parole.

Several Republican legislators criticized the decision. Sen. Eric Wimberger (R-Gillett) said Evers "is releasing 10 murderers, a burglar, an arsonist and a drug dealer — who all deserve their punishments," and that this puts "our communities in physical danger." Sen. Julian Bradley (R-New Berlin), recently elected Senate Minority Leader, said in a Facebook post: "So there's no confusion, Tony Evers is commuting the sentences of 10 convicted murderers and he's releasing it on a Friday afternoon, hoping nobody notices."

The ACLU of Wisconsin praised the commutations. "Voters across the political spectrum support the use of commutations to end or shorten unjust prison sentences so that people can rejoin their communities and get a fair chance at life," the group said in a statement. "We urge the governor to continue commuting sentences before he leaves office, and we hope Governor-elect Crowley builds on this by expanding the commutations process and making it a routine part of his administration." The ACLU noted that Wisconsin's prison population is at record highs and that the commutations are "a start, but so much more needs to be done."

Among those receiving commutations:

- Mighty Howell, 50, who has served 33 years of a life sentence for first-degree intentional homicide, had his parole eligibility moved from 2038 to September 2027. Howell was 17 when convicted for the May 27, 1993, death of Roger Bucholz in Milwaukee during an attempted robbery. He maintained continuous employment and received 20 letters of support, including from a retired correctional officer.

- Michael Maldonado, 47, who has served 31 years of a life sentence, had his sentence shortened to four more years of incarceration followed by parole. Maldonado was 15 when he was sentenced in 1995 for his role in the 1994 killing of Ruben Borchardt in Jefferson County. His first parole eligibility had been set for 2044, but an accomplice who received a shorter sentence took responsibility for the shooting, and Maldonado's sentence was modified in 2025. He earned an associate's degree in business and certifications while incarcerated.

- Daniel Cerney, 43, who received two concurrent life sentences for the 1999 shooting deaths of William Leis, 51, and his 85-year-old mother, Evelyn Leis, when Cerney was 16, had his parole eligibility moved from 2044 to 2030. He worked for Badger State Industries and received a letter of support from the victims' family, who have consistently visited him in prison.

- Sabir Wilcher, 46, who has served 31 years of a life sentence given in 1995 when he was 15 for the killing of Elvis Anderson, 20, in Milwaukee, had his sentence commuted to three more years of incarceration before parole. He has been eligible for parole since 2025 and could be released earlier depending on a Parole Commission decision. The victim's son and the prosecuting district attorney supported his commutation.

- Wazir El-Amin, formerly Wade A. Curtis, 55, who has served 36 years of a life sentence given in 1990 for first-degree intentional homicide with a dangerous weapon in Racine County, was made immediately eligible for parole. He had previously been eligible in 2028. He has secured work with a construction company and plans to volunteer with a nonprofit he started with his wife.

- DeQuelvin Douglas, 47, convicted of first-degree intentional homicide and attempted first-degree intentional homicide in Kenosha County at age 15 and sentenced to life imprisonment at 16, had his parole eligibility moved from 2056 to 2029. Rep. Amanda Nedweski (R-Pleasant Prairie) criticized the commutation, citing "significant opposition from the Kenosha County District Attorney's Office." Douglas received a letter of support from a former Department of Corrections sergeant who said he "truly deserves a second chance."

- Dawn Dobbs, 59, who has been incarcerated for 32 years after being convicted of first-degree intentional homicide (party to a crime) in Milwaukee County and sentenced in 1994 to life imprisonment for the killing of her life partner and father of their two sons, had her parole eligibility date changed from 2035 to November 2026. The district attorney and her son supported a commutation.

The other 10 people heard at the August and September hearings were denied commutation, the governor's office said.

Evers may issue more commutations before leaving office. The Commutation Advisory Board heard from additional applicants in October and November and has hearings scheduled for Nov. 20 and Dec. 11.