Should governors have broad power to commute criminal sentences?

Context

Governors in the United States have long held the power to commute criminal sentences—reducing or eliminating a prisoner's punishment—as part of their executive clemency authority. This power, rooted in English common law and enshrined in most state constitutions, is intended as a check on the judicial system and a tool for correcting injustices. Recent high-profile commutations have reignited debate over whether governors should face limits on this broad discretion, with critics arguing it can be wielded arbitrarily or under political pressure, while supporters contend that restricting it undermines an essential safeguard against wrongful convictions.