Who mainly administers most jails in the U.S.?

In the United States, the administration of most jails is primarily carried out by elected sheriffs. This stems from the historical and traditional role of sheriffs, who have been elected officials responsible for law enforcement in their counties, including the management of local jail facilities. Sheriffs are accountable to the public through elections, which ensures that they are responsive to the needs and concerns of the community regarding jail operations and conditions.

Elected sheriffs have the authority to hire jail staff, set policies, and overall management of the jail's day-to-day operations. This system also reflects the decentralization of corrections in the U.S., where jails are often operated at the county level, thus keeping the management closely tied to local governance.

The other options, such as judges or state officials, do have roles in the larger correctional system, but they are not typically involved in the day-to-day administration of jails. Judges preside over court proceedings and make sentencing decisions, while state officials generally oversee larger state prison systems rather than local jails. Private contractors may run some facilities, but their prevalence is significantly less compared to jails administered by elected sheriffs.