What constitutes a reprieve?

A reprieve is defined as a temporary postponement of the carrying out of a sentence, particularly a death sentence. When someone receives a reprieve, it means that their punishment is delayed, which allows for further review or consideration of their case. This action does not imply forgiveness or a change to the sentence itself; rather, it gives time for additional legal or personal developments to occur.

The other options represent different forms of clemency or legal actions. A complete forgiveness of a crime refers to a pardon, while a full release from prison denotes an absolute discharge, not a mere postponement. Reducing a prison sentence can be classified as a commutation, which involves altering the length of punishment rather than delaying it. Thus, the correct interpretation of a reprieve aligns specifically with the temporary halt or postponement of serving a sentence.