I think since he was in prison his whole life basically. I can see why he would miss it. I mean it is a mean place but I would imagine that they make genuine friendships and even get into a routine that they come to appreciate. I doubt the guy was going to hurt anybody at this point. He just wanted to get back to the life he knows.
I pray that I am never so ill or mentally incapacitated that I prefer prison to living free.
Just as some children truly love and want to be with their abusive parent(s). It’s hard to understand, but that’s all they’ve ever known.
And that life on the outside can seem more brutal than prison since no one is there to hand the person a tray of free food, no free roof, no free shower, etc.
You make a good point, Naps.