For what Bern is wanting, being passive obviously wasn't an option. As much as I hate the guy, he's right. Bern was given three chances. Sure, the third chance wasn't as fair as a one on one would be, but only as far as that the three on three gave her the opportunity to make the wrong choice in not fighting.
This isn't to say that she can't be passive, but to be so, she'd have to accept the consequences on that action. She would be willing to stay in the prison for however long it takes. To accept the label of being weak and a coward, truth be damned. Bern isn't wanting that. She wants out. And yet, she wasn't willing to show them that.