Johnson County jail survey hits 18% response rate; committee agrees to fund three focus groups

Cassidy, a researcher with the Center for Social Science Innovation, told the Johnson County Board of Supervisors' Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee on July 3 that the county's jail survey has reached 707 completed responses, an 18% response rate, and recommended canceling a planned second mailing to save money.

The decision matters because the higher-than-expected response reduces survey costs and creates scope to add qualitative research. Committee members expressed support for shifting the $7,700 saved by canceling the second mailing toward conducting three focus groups to deepen understanding of the survey findings.

Cassidy said the survey was finalized May 9 and mailed May 22, with a postcard reminder about two weeks later and phone follow-up beginning June 20. She reported 707 completes across modes — about 500 by mail, 152 by web and roughly 30 longer-format completes — and said the project team will continue calling until about July 8 to close the field. "I think it indicates that this is a topic of interest to people," Cassidy said when asked whether the strong response signaled local engagement.

The research team presented two focus-group options: three groups at an estimated $8,900 or six groups at about $14,000. Each planned group would target roughly six participants, with recruitment drawing from roughly 90 survey respondents who indicated interest in follow-up discussion. Cassidy said smaller groups (about six people) allow deeper discussion and that the team would recruit one or two additional people for each group to allow for no-shows.

Committee members voiced support for using the savings for focus groups. Supervisor Robinson and several committee members said shifting saved funds to the smaller focus-group option was appropriate and more financially palatable; one committee member requested the updated cost estimates be circulated in writing. There was no formal recorded vote; the meeting transcript shows a consensus to proceed with three focus groups and for staff to provide updated cost estimates and a timeline to the board for any necessary budget adjustments.

The research team plans to deliver final proposals to the committee by Aug. 8 and to present results at the committee meeting scheduled for mid-August. Next steps identified in the meeting included circulating a written cost estimate for the selected focus-group option, finalizing recruitment materials, and, if needed, asking the Board of Supervisors to reallocate the saved mailing funds in the county budget process.