Well personally I think as a father of course he didn't want to miss his only son grow up. Phil had no choice with his life because of uncle Nicky. He was trying to give his kid a chance at life besides the mob. But who is to say that if he only got a 10-15 years that it would have been se outcome. But as much as he was forced into the "life" he lived it and loved it.

I'm sure the father In him wanted the family life but the criminal in him wanted a way out of a long prison term. At least he didn't end up like Sammy the Bull and end up back in jail. But who am I to say what he was up to. Lol