Aaron M. Shirley
Republican · KY · Barren County Jailer
Aaron M. Shirley has run the Barren County Detention Center as jailer since he was first elected in 2022. In 2026 the jail earned a near-perfect state inspection, with overcrowding the only problem found.
Where Aaron M. Shirley stands, based on their records
Supports
Government Efficiency (2 records), Public Safety and Crime Control (2 records)
Track record
Track record — Government Efficiency
Government Efficiency · 2 support
Asked for a new jail bank account so released inmates get their money on a card, not a mailed check. He said it saves postage and paperwork. The county board approved the account.
November 18, 2025Supports Government Efficiency
Source: wcluradio.com
Pushed to switch the jail's online inmate tracking system to Cadmus, at $12,000 a year after a $5,000 setup fee. He chose it partly to avoid a five-year contract. The county jail committee voted to recommend it.
October 8, 2025Supports Government Efficiency
Source: wcluradio.com
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 2 support
Sought a state grant to buy 15 new tasers for jail staff, because the old ones were wearing out. The county board unanimously approved the grant request.
March 5, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: glasgownews1.com
Asked the regional drug task force to find out how drugs were getting into the county jail. The probe led to organized-crime charges against a deputy jailer and two inmates.
February 27, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: k105.com
Track record — General
General · 5 records
Told the county board the jail had turned over $402,579.64 in revenue. County leaders said their books showed less. At a follow-up meeting he agreed the remark probably should not have been made that way.
August 21, 2026
Source: wcluradio.com
Reported that state inspectors gave the jail a near-perfect score. Overcrowding was the only problem cited, with about 204 inmates in a 178-bed jail.
March 16, 2026
Source: wcluradio.com
Proposed renewing the jail's health care contract with Comprehensive Correctional Care. He made the request after lawsuits over jails denying opioid addiction treatment. He said the contract puts medical liability on the provider.
April 12, 2024
Source: wcluradio.com
Took over as Barren County Jailer about a week early after the outgoing jailer resigned. The county judge-executive appointed him to finish the old term, and a circuit judge swore him in.
December 21, 2022
Source: glasgownews1.com
Won the race for Barren County Jailer on 2022-11-08. He beat Cody L. Huff 10,637 votes to 3,133 in the official county count.
November 8, 2022
Source: elect.ky.gov
Past race Aaron M. Shirley ran in:
- Barren County Jailer · November 3, 2026 · Barren County, Kentucky · incumbent