reprieve

A reprieve is a temporary postponement of the carrying out of a punishment, most commonly an execution, granted by an executive authority such as a head of state or a governor. It delays the sentence rather than annulling it; the underlying conviction remains, and the punishment can be carried out later. Reprieve is part of clemency powers in many legal systems and can be used for humanitarian reasons, to allow time for new evidence, or to review legal errors.

In practice, a reprieve is distinct from a stay of execution, which is typically a court-ordered halt of imminent action, and from a pardon or commutation, which may eliminate or reduce the sentence entirely. A reprieve may be temporary, specifying a date for reassessment or carrying out the punishment; in some systems it can be renewed.

The procedure for granting a reprieve varies by jurisdiction but generally involves petitioning authorities, considerations of mercy or mercy factors, and sometimes public or political input. Reprieve powers are often controversial and tied to debates over capital punishment, human rights, and the fairness of the justice system.

Beyond legal punishment, the term reprieve is also used figuratively to describe a temporary relief from a burdensome situation or danger.