Only a
programmer would make such a
dubious comparison.
Inmates are in prison, incarcerated. Some (about 25%) mental patients are in hospitals, in treatment.
Note: the word asylum has not been used in reference to the mentally ill in the United States since the
1960s. (and I am assuming that Mr.Cooper is American).
It is used in reference to aliens seeking political asylum.
Jeez, so much lost in translation.