• California panel recommends Patricia Krenwinkel for parole after 54 years of imprisonment.
• Krenwinkel, 77, is the longest-serving female inmate in California and a follower of Charles Manson.
• Her parole recommendation follows a record of good behavior but faces opposition from victims' families.
• A full review by the Board of Parole Hearings must occur before any potential release.
• Governor Gavin Newsom's past decisions have shown he may reject parole recommendations.

Patricia Krenwinkel, a former member of the Manson Family cult, has been recommended for parole by a California prison panel after over 54 years behind bars. At 77 years old, Krenwinkel is the longest-serving female inmate in California, having been convicted in 1971 for her role in the grisly murders orchestrated by Charles Manson during the infamous 1969 killing spree. The recommendation was made during her 16th appearance before the parole suitability panel, which adjudged her as posing little risk of reoffending due to her age and her record of good behavior in prison, according to Reuters and NY Times.

During the parole hearing, which lasted four hours, several family members of the victims opposed Krenwinkel’s release. Notably, Debra Tate, sister of actress Sharon Tate who was murdered in the rampage, stated that releasing Krenwinkel "puts society at risk" and criticized her failure to acknowledge the impact of her actions. Commissioner Gilbert Infante acknowledged the severity of Krenwinkel's crimes but noted her “subsequent growth” in prison, emphasizing that the recommendation for parole does not minimize the victims' suffering, according to Newsweek.

If the full California Board of Parole Hearings accepts the panel's recommendation, Governor Gavin Newsom will have a designated period to review the decision, during which he could affirm or reverse the board's findings. Newsom previously rejected a parole recommendation for Krenwinkel in 2022, highlighting her significant involvement in the violence associated with the Manson Family cult. The process for finalizing the recommendations could take up to four months, underscores Reuters, NY Times, and Newsweek.