Isolation is the removal of a youth from the living environment to a separate room for the purposes of behavioral control; mechanical restraints may be used to calm an individual or avoid injury. There are similarities between incarcerated and psychiatrically hospitalized youth; the former display high rates of neuropsychiatric morbidity and severe emotional disturbances, with similar psychopathology and "acting out" behavior to the latter group. Isolation in juvenile correctional facilities tends to be a long-term intervention and lacks a system of standardization regarding length and site of isolation. The evidence that isolation can create a variety of mental and behavioral disturbances bears out the authors' impression that programs relying on excessive isolation experience high rates of aversive behaviors among residents. The use of mechanical restraints also varies between institutions in terms of frequency and length of use, as well as use of soft restraints versus handcuffs. Recommendations for facility administrators include elimination of separate isolation units, creation of an upper time limit on isolation, elimination of restraints or adherence to stringent guidelines for proper restraint, and a variety of other intervention measures. 2 tables, 3 figures, 34 references. (Author abstract modified)