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.
ViaPath to Securus Transition
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: Starting February 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.
All fire camps are full transitioned. Transitions at the institutions begin February 2026. See schedule below.
Lower costs for video calls and e-messages.
Incarcerated individuals’ ViaPath messages, photos, and media will not transfer to the Securus tablets. Once a facility transitions, incarcerated individuals no longer have access to their ViaPath content.
Families should contact vendor customer support lines. Major outage notices will be posted on the CDCR website.
Yes. Incarcerated individuals may print messages or photos from their tablet or a kiosk BEFORE their institution’s transition date.
No. Incarcerated individuals must initiate a print request from their tablet or a kiosk.
Facility Rollout Schedule
Schedule as of March 10, 2026
All Fire Camps have been fully transitioned.
| Institution | Phone Transition (Caller ID will change) | Tablet Transition |
|---|---|---|
| California Institution for Women | 2/2 | 2/5 – 2/13 |
| Central Cal Women’s Facility | 3/2 | 3/3 – 3/6 |
| Sierra Conservation Center | 3/9 | 3/10 – 3/13 |
| Cal State Prison/Solano | TBD | TBD |
| Cal State Prison/Sacramento | TBD | TBD |
| California Medical Facility | TBD | TBD |
| Substance Abuse Treatment Facility | TBD | TBD |
| San Quentin State Prison | TBD | TBD |
| Mule Creek State Prison | TBD | TBD |
| North Kern State Prison | TBD | TBD |
| High Desert State Prison | TBD | TBD |
| Avenal State Prison | TBD | TBD |
| Cal State Prison/LA County | TBD | TBD |
| Cal State Prison/Corcoran | TBD | TBD |
| Folsom State Prison | TBD | TBD |
| Pleasant Valley State Prison | TBD | TBD |
| Salinas Valley State Prison | TBD | TBD |
| Wasco State Prison | TBD | TBD |
| California Health Care Facility | TBD | TBD |
| Centinela State Prison | TBD | TBD |
| Kern Valley State Prison | TBD | TBD |
| Correctional Training Facility | TBD | TBD |
| Pelican Bay State Prison | TBD | TBD |
| Ironwood State Prison | TBD | TBD |
| Calipatria State Prison | TBD | TBD |
| RJ Donovan Correctional Facility | TBD | TBD |
| Valley State Prison | TBD | TBD |
| Cuesta Camp | TBD | TBD |
| California Men’s Colony | TBD | TBD |
| California Institution for Men | TBD | TBD |
| Cal Correctional Institution | TBD | TBD |
| Note: There will be intermittent outages at each institution as we transition | ||
| **TBD (To Be Determined): We are readjusting the schedule and will provide updates as soon as possible | ||