The governor has vetoed a measure to delay consideration of parole when inmates get violent in prison.
Markie’s Law was named for an 8-year-old Lawrence County boy who was stabbed to death by a man paroled at the end of his minimum sentence, even though he assaulted other inmates.
The bill passed the Pennsylvania legislature with large majorities. Markie’s Law passed the Senate 41-9 and the House 133-69.
Representative Aaron Bernstine sponsored the legislation to, in his words, “keep the most dangerous inmates from... premature release.”
But Governor Tom Wolf says the measure is, in his words, “misguided and does not promote public safety.”
Markie's Law would have delayed a violent inmate’s parole by two years for each violent offense in prison.
Bernstine said in a news release “I am upset, disappointed and disgusted with the governor’s decision to veto this important, common-sense legislation.”
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