Final answer:
The best systems for reducing institutionalization are those that focus on a high benefit-cost ratio, involving prevention, rehabilitation, restorative justice, and hybrid management systems, rather than relying solely on total institutions like prisons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The text suggests that the most effective systems for reducing institutionalization strike a balance between costs and benefits. This involves selecting options that have the highest benefit-cost ratio. Total institutions, such as prisons or religious convents, significantly isolate individuals from society, which may not always be effective or necessary for resocialization. Instead, other approaches like prevention, rehabilitation, and restorative justice can be more cost-effective, especially when they involve investing in technology, human capital, and physical capital, as well as encouraging compliance through hybrid management systems that combine customary and modern practices.
Effective crime reduction strategies should aim to raise the opportunity costs of committing crimes, provide better labor market alternatives, and invest in early childhood experiences to prevent crime. For juveniles, incarceration tends to be the least effective option, with diversion programs often proving more successful. Drug treatment and other forms of rehabilitation are also noted to be cost-effective alternatives to total institutions for resocializing individuals.