> People in prison sometimes enjoy the opportunity they have to focus on self improvement without the stress of having to make money for food/shelter.

If not for the criminal record being a huge factor in job applications later, I'd consider low-security prison to be a pretty good way of getting a sabbatical. It's almost like basic income.

That's why "prison is punishment" is supported by some people - if there should exist a social self-improvement program, shouldn't we be giving it to those whose behaviors we want to encourage?

I think the issue here really is that regular life became so fucked up that prison seems like a better option. Isolation from participating in society should be punishment on its own, but it isn't, given how the participation looks for most people.

Reminds me of that time I remember from my childhood, when my dad had a friend in a hospital, and would go on ranting about how that friend has much worse food and entertainment than a typical prisoner...

In my state at least it's only for 7 years and only felonies or financial crimes. So you could always commit some non-financial misdemeanor and refuse to do any pretrial diversion program if you wanted, I guess.

Considering submarines and prisons historically aren't coed, I'd say space travel fares a bit better for basic human needs.

Same sex relationships in prisons and subs aside, I actually think intimate relationships between a confined team that works and lives together is a bad idea. The team needs to depend on each other hugely and having the emotional demands of a intimate relationship could make things pretty difficult for those involved directly or indirectly.

Obviously relationships will develop regardless, you put people together they are going to do stuff. It's just a another challenge, in my mind, rather than an advantage.

No different than sex in the workplace, clearly not a good idea, obviously it's going to happen. You hang out with someone long enough, they start being attractive.

Gimlet Media has a fun podcast following a year-long mock space mission. It explores the topic of relationships in a confined space, too: https://www.gimletmedia.com/the-habitat

Do the subs not have internet access or comms to outside world?

Nuclear subs predate the Internet and I suppose you also want to limit your non-internet comm activity when sitting somewhere in the ocean waiting for a Russian first strike.

Radio waves don't work great under the oceans.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communication_with_submarine...

They do indeed perform a “sync” when they surface briefly.