Abstract. DWBA analysis of the inelastic 30−40 S(p, p ′ ) and 18−22 O(p, p ′ ) scattering data measured in the inverse kinematics has been performed to determine the isoscalar (δ0) and isovector (δ1) deformation lengths of the 2 + 1 excitations in the Sulfur and Oxygen isotopes using a compact folding approach. A systematic N -dependence of δ0 and δ1 has been established which shows a link between δ1 and the neutron-shell closure. Strong isovector deformations were found in several cases, e.g., the 2 + 1 state in 20 O where δ1 is nearly three times larger than δ0. These results confirm the relation δ1 > δ0 anticipated from the core polarization by the valence neutrons in the open-shell (neutron rich) nuclei. The effect of neutron shell closure at N = 14 or 16 has been discussed based on the folding model analysis of the inelastic 22 O+p scattering data at 46.6 MeV/u measured recently at GANIL.