Executive Clemency is an act of mercy or leniency from certain consequences of a criminal conviction, and is exercised by the Governor after receipt of a recommendation from the Parole Board.
Clemency can be in the form of a pardon, commutation, or reprieve.
Pardon: A pardon is the remission of a penalty. It is an act of grace or forgiveness that relieves the person pardoned from some or all of the ramifications of lawful punishment. A pardon may be conditional or unconditional. Pardons do not erase or seal a conviction; a pardon forgives guilt.
Commutation: Commutation is the reduction of a penalty to one less severe. A commutation may be conditional or unconditional.
Reprieve: A reprieve is the temporary postponement of the execution of a sentence.