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There is absolutely NOTHING comfortable about living in a Texas maximum security prison.

Nothing comfortable eh....

I guess it all depends on your perspective.

I consider being afforded food, shelter, and the opportunity to sleep on a regular basis as living quite comfortably.

Prisoners are fed 3 times a day, every day, regardless of their caloric expenditure. That is comfort. There are many soldiers who would love to be fed 3 times a day, EVERY day, however, training and missions dictate otherwise, and there will be extended periods of time where caloric intake will NOT match caloric expenditure. I don't care how bad the food is, ANY food is better than NO food.

Prisoners are provided shelter from the elements. That is comfort. No air conditioning? Our forefathers didn't have air conditioning. Our troops over seas don't have air conditioning on mission, WHILE wearing 40+ pounds of kit, including armor in 120 degree heat. Do prisoners sleep in the rain, wind, or snow? No, they don't. Do prisoners sleep on the ground, in the mud, on the floor, or on rocks? No, they don't. Do prisoners huddle together in their cells for warmth during the winter? Probably not.

Prisoners are allowed to sleep on a regular basis. THAT is comfort. Many service members and civilians would love the opportunity to have a minimum of 5 hours a night of sleep. EVERY night. There is more room in most prison cells for sleeping than there is in the berthing areas of some of our ships, and some sailors don't even get their own bunk, but must share it with another shift.

Some prisons don't have grooming standards. The prisoner has control over their appearance and can do whatever they want to their hair, or facial hair. That's comfort.

Some prisons don't have uniform standards. The prisoner has control over how they wear their uniform. Another comfort.

Prison sucks, sure. Got it....

However, you give an inmate a taste of what some of our troops go through on a daily basis in training, or in combat, and the inmate will learn soon enough how good he has it in a "correctional" facility.

IMO, the recidivism rate is so high because prisons are indeed FAR too comfortable.

The prison needs to be so tough to be deterrent not offend again.

Do some research on "correctional" doctrine and you will find that there is a never ending argument about whether a prison system should serve as punishment, as rehabilitation, or both. HOW any of that is accomplished is also a never ending debate.

IMO, recidivism levels should be the deciding factor, and whatever decreases recidivism should be policy.

These days, the only thing that prevents a high rate of recidivism is death.