GRAHAM COUNTY, N.C. — The Graham County Sheriff’s Office has restored public fingerprinting services following the purchase and installation of new equipment to replace malfunctioning systems.

According to the sheriff’s office, both the office and the Graham County Detention Center had experienced ongoing technical issues with their previous fingerprinting equipment. The systems frequently timed out or stopped working, eventually leaving the sheriff’s office without a functioning system for public fingerprinting.

The equipment problems affected residents needing fingerprints for concealed carry weapon permits, adoption requirements, employment background checks and other purposes.

The sheriff’s office began the process of acquiring replacement equipment near the end of June. Two new fingerprinting systems have since been purchased, installed and tested. Both systems have passed the required state testing and are now operational, according to the agency.

The new systems serve separate purposes. The system at the Graham County Detention Center is reserved exclusively for inmate processing and fingerprinting required by law, while the system at the sheriff’s office is designated for public fingerprinting services.

Public fingerprinting services are once again available at the Graham County Sheriff’s Office for residents who need them for permits, employment, adoptions and other purposes.

Sheriff Russell Moody and the sheriff’s office thanked residents for their patience during the equipment replacement process, acknowledging the inconvenience caused by the service disruptions.

The agency said replacing the equipment was a necessary investment to restore reliable fingerprinting services and continue meeting the needs of the community.