Three-quarters of all jails are operated by an elected official known as a __ A sheriff B chief of prisons C district attorney D governor

The correct answer is:<br /><br />**A. sheriff**<br /><br />In the United States, three-quarters of all jails are operated by an elected official known as a sheriff. Sheriffs are responsible for law enforcement duties in counties, including managing county jails and overseeing the custody of inmates.