THE INTAKE SERVICE CENTER (ISC) WAS CONSTRUCTED IN AN UNDERUSED PORTION OF THE GROUND LEVEL OF THE GOVERNMENT CENTER. THIS LOCATION WAS CHOSEN TO PHYSICALLY SEPARATE INTAKE PROCESSING FROM THE JAIL SETTING, AND TO RELIEVE PRESSURE ON THE OVERCROWDED JAIL BY KEEPING THE MAJORITY OF THE PERSONS DIVERTED FROM INCARCERATION OUT OF THE JAIL FACILITIES. THE INTAKE SERVICES PROVIDED IN THIS CENTER ARE DESCRIBED, INCLUDING PRETRIAL RELEASE SCREENING, BOOKING, REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY AGENCIES, CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES, AND COUNSELING OF OFFENDERS ON THEIR LEGAL STATUS. SINCE THE CENTER IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A NONTHREATENING ATMOSPHERE, IT IS CARPETED, HAS COMFORTABLE SEATING, AND DOES NOT UTILIZE SUCH SECURITY FEATURES AS BARS. INSTEAD, STAFFING AND CAREFUL MONITORING OF ACTIVITIES PROVIDE FACILITY SECURITY. RESPONSE TO THE ISC HAS BEEN GENERALLY FAVORABLE, ALTHOUGH POLICE HAVE SOMETIMES OBJECTED TO THE 'ACCOMMODATING ATMOSPHERE' OF THE CENTER.