State Rep. Aaron Bernstine is incensed that members of the House refused to override Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of a bill that would keep violent offenders behind bars if they continue to commit violent acts while in prison.

He should be angry.

Introduced by Bernstine, the bill was passed in the Senate by a 41-9 vote, and the House concurred with the Senate’s changes by a 133-69 vote.

Wolf vetoed the bill Sept. 30, calling the legislation “misguided.”

“This legislation does not promote public safety, but instead proposes a mechanical and ineffective structure of mandatory parole denial, which is in effect, a mandatory minimum by another name,” Wolf said in his veto message.

Bernstine introduced Markie’s Law following the violent death of an 8-year-old Lawrence County boy.

Keith Burley Jr. is in prison for the crime, convicted of repeatedly stabbing his girlfriend’s 8-year-old son, Markie Mason, while apparently telling the boy to “die” in July 2019. Markie was abducted and stabbed following a domestic dispute between Burley and the boy’s mother.

Burley was free after being released from 20 years in prison on a murder conviction. He was paroled even though he was found guilty of two separate assaults of other inmates while serving his sentence.

During his first 13 years in prison, Burley twice pleaded guilty to assaulting other prisoners, was often cited for fighting or assault, and received 17 misconducts, according to a state review of parole procedures.

Among other things, the bill would have postponed consideration of a violent inmate’s parole an additional two years following the minimum release date for each conviction of a violent offense while incarcerated.

Violent acts while incarcerated show a propensity for additional violent acts upon release, according to a study by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Berstine, a Republican whose 10th district covers parts of Butler, Lawrence and Beaver counties, said his bill was “common sense legislation, and we will reintroduce this in the new 2023-24 session. We must hold inmates accountable for their actions while incarcerated.”

While granting an early release should be considered for inmates convicted of less serious crimes who exhibit good behavior while serving their sentence and who offer a glimmer of hope they can be rehabilitated if released on parole, violent offenders who continue to be violent behind bars should remain locked up.

We hope Bernstine continues his fight to get this law passed. It’s a no-brainer.

–JGG