Kentucky is the only state in the country that elects a jailer.
Kentucky jailers are responsible for inmate processing and maintaining order in the jail. They serve four-year terms and do not have term limits.
Not every county jailer actually operates a jail. Boone, Kenton and Campbell Counties all have jails, but in some smaller counties, there is no county-operated jail. In those cases, jailers still perform duties such as transporting inmates to other facilities, serving court orders and overseeing local detention contracts.
Why is Kentucky the only state to elect a jailer?
The office of jailer is a constitutional office established in the Kentucky Constitution, which requires every county to elect a jailer every four years. The role dates back to the 19th century, when local officials were directly responsible for the custody and care of inmates.
According to the Kentucky Jailers Association, in most states, the sheriff or one of its deputies would perform the duties assigned to a Kentucky jailer. In Kentucky, the jailer’s role is distinct from the county sheriff, who is responsible for law enforcement and serving court papers. While sheriffs make arrests, jailers oversee those already in custody and manage jail operations.
County tax dollars fund the jailer’s office, but revenues from housing state or federal inmates can offset some of those costs. Jailers must adhere to state standards established by the Department of Corrections, which conducts regular inspections.
“They have a budget that is set by the fiscal court; they have to stay within that budget,” Former legislator and current public policy and political consultant Adam Keonig said. “They supervise everyone from the people who walk around and make sure the prisoners are in there and safe, to making sure all procedures they are required to follow by law are done. Hiring staff to make lunch, ordering food, all that stuff, everything that goes into running that facility is the responsibility of the jailer.”
A vacancy in the office of jailer is filled by an appointment of the county judge/executive.
Jim Daley has been Campbell County Jailer since 2013, when he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Greg Buckler. He officially ran for the position in 2015 and was elected to office.
Marc Fields was appointed to the Kenton County Jailer in 2021, following the retirement of Terry Carl. He ran for office in 2022 and was elected.
Jason Maydak was elected to the office of Boone County Jailer and took office in January 2019.
To be considered for a county jailer, people must be at least 24 years of age and have resided in the state for two years and the county for one year preceding the election.