Tablets and Telephones
September 2025 – February 2026
Overview
On February 21, 2025, the California Department of Technology awarded a new telecommunications contract to Securus Technologies, LLC, following a competitive process and a court ruling that vacated the prior ViaPath contract.
To avoid service interruptions, CDCR secured an interim agreement with ViaPath until the transition is complete. The change will reduce costs for families and maintain access to educational, rehabilitative, and entertainment content.
Note: The incarcerated population will continue using the ViaPath platform until their institution transitions to Securus. Once an institution has transitioned, families will need to use Securus moving forward. If your loved one is transferred to an institution that is still using ViaPath, you will need to return to that platform until the new institution transitions to Securus.
Transition Timeline
- Fire Camps: Complete
- Institutions: February 2025 – April 2026
- The rollout schedule by facility is posted below.
What Is Changing
- Lower costs for video calls and e-messages.
- Content does not transfer: Photos, e-messages, and media purchased through ViaPath cannot be moved to the new tablets.
Refunds and Balances
- Families may request refunds for unused balances through the ViaPath call center.
- Incarcerated balances will be refunded to trust accounts automatically.
- Instructions will be available on ViaPath’s website.
Transition Activities
- Tablets must be exchanged: Incarcerated people will turn in their ViaPath tablet and receive a new Securus tablet.
Cost Comparison Chart
| Service | ViaPath | Securus |
| Telephone Calls (paid by CDCR) | $0.019/min | $0.016/min |
| Video Calls | $0.16/min | $0.10/min |
| E-Messages | $0.05 | $0.03 |
| Photos (Inbound Only) | $0.05 | $0.03 |
| Free Video Calls | 15 min per two weeks | 30 min per month |
| Free E-Messages | 5 per week | 20 per month |
| Internet Radio | Free | $5.49/month |
| Games | Free | $0.99 |
| B/W Printed Content | $0.05/page | $0.05/page |
| Color Printed Content | $0.25/page | $0.20/page |
| News and Sports Subscription | $0.75/month | $0.75/month |
| Music Subscription | $5.49/month | $5.49/month |
| Movie and TV Subscription | $1.99/month | $1.99/month |
| E-Book Subscription | Free | Free |
| Audio Book Subscription | Free | Free |
| Podcast Subscription | Free | Free |
| Replacement Earbuds* | $3.49 | $5.66 |
| Replacement Charger* | $7.99 | $3.98 |
| Over-the-Ear Headphones* | N/A | $7.98 |
*Charges will be enforced
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A new contract was awarded to Securus after a court ruling vacated the prior contract. CDCR is committed to uninterrupted service and improved access.
CDCR is committed to ensuring minimal disruption to communication services as we transition service providers.
Camps begin in September 2025, followed by institutions through February 2026. See schedule below.
Lower costs for video calls and e-messages.
Content such as music, photos, and e-messages does not transfer. Upon release, incarcerated people can request their content from ViaPath.
Families should contact vendor customer support lines. Major outage notices will be posted on the CDCR website.
Facility Rollout Schedule
All Fire Camps have been fully transitioned.
| Institution | Phone Transition | Tablet Transition |
| (Caller ID will change) | ||
| California Institution for Women | 2/2 | 2/4 – 2/6 |
| Central Cal Women’s Facility | 2/9 | 2/10 – 2/13 |
| Sierra Conservation Center | 2/17 | 2/19 – 2/20 |
| Substance Abuse Treatment Facility | 2/23 | 2/24 – 2/27 |
| California Medical Facility | 2/23 | 2/26 – 2/27 |
| Cal State Prison/Solano | 3/2 | 3/4 – 3/6 |
| San Quentin State Prison | 3/2 | 3/4 – 3/6 |
| Folsom State Prison | 3/2 | 3/3 – 3/6 |
| Cal State Prison/Sacramento | 3/9 | 3/10 – 3/13 |
| Mule Creek State Prison | 3/9 | 3/10 – 3/13 |
| California Health Care Facility | 3/9 | 3/11 – 3/13 |
| Pleasant Valley State Prison | 3/16 | 3/17 – 3/20 |
| Avenal State Prison | 3/16 | 3/17 – 3/20 |
| Wasco State Prison | 3/16 | 3/18 – 3/20 |
| Kern Valley State Prison | 3/23 | 3/24 – 3/27 |
| North Kern State Prison | 3/23 | 3/25 – 3/27 |
| Cal State Prison/Corcoran | 3/23 | 3/25 – 3/27 |
| Cal Correctional Institution | 3/30 | 4/1 – 4/3 |
| California Institution for Men | 3/30 | 4/1 – 4/3 |
| RJ Donovan Correctional Facility | 3/30 | 4/1 – 4/3 |
| Centinela State Prison | 4/6 | 4/8 – 4/10 |
| Calipatria State Prison | 4/6 | 4/8 – 4/10 |
| Ironwood State Prison | 4/6 | 4/8 – 4/10 |
| Valley State Prison | 4/13 | 4/15 – 4/17 |
| Salinas Valley State Prison | 4/13 | 4/14 – 4/17 |
| Correctional Training Facility | 4/13 | 4/15 – 4/17 |
| Cal State Prison/LA County | 4/20 | 4/22 – 4/24 |
| California Men’s Colony/Cuesta Camp | 4/20 | 4/22 – 4/24 |
| Pelican Bay State Prison | 4/20 | 4/22 – 4/24 |
| High Desert State Prison | 4/27 | 4/29 – 5/1 |
| California Rehabilitation Center | 4/27 | 4/29 – 5/1 |
| Note: There will be intermittent outages at each institution as we transition | ||
| **Transition dates are tentative and could change | ||