I am less afraid of mentally ill would might hurt another person than criminals who already have.

Well, from all of the movies and television I have watched over the years, I can accurately discern that an insane asylum is a much scarier place than a prison. The asylum is probably safer, however.

Life sentence, with no hope of release? Violent criminals or forced medication...not an easy choice.

I'd hit up the asylum and work on the psychiatrists to get me some good meds. It'd be a mellower time spent then doing pushups and eating the playdo meals at jail. I'm sure they eat better at the asylum: That has to be a fact.