What is the CDCR tablet transition?

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation awarded a new telecommunications contract to Securus Technologies in February 2025. This came after the previous contract with ViaPath Technologies was vacated following a Sacramento County Superior Court ruling.

CDCR facilities are now replacing all ViaPath tablets with new Securus tablets. The transition runs from October 2025 through February 2026, with different facilities switching at different times.

The most important thing families need to know

According to CDCR's official announcement: content such as music, photos, and e-messages does not transfer.

This means photos currently stored on ViaPath tablets will not move to the new Securus system. There is no automatic transfer or backup. The photos you sent last week, last month, or last year will not be accessible on the new tablets.

CDCR has stated that incarcerated individuals can request their digital content from ViaPath upon release. However, this option may not apply to everyone, particularly those serving life sentences or longer terms. And during their time inside, once the facility switches, those photos will not be available.

What happens to photos during the transition

When your loved one's facility completes the switch:

CDCR tablet transition timeline by facility

The transition is happening in phases:

To find out when a specific facility is scheduled, refer to the Facility Rollout Schedule from CDCR.

Will my loved one get a new tablet?

Yes. Every incarcerated person at CDCR facilities will turn in their ViaPath tablet and receive a new Securus tablet. The tablets are provided at no cost, though certain premium features may have charges.

What about video calls and phone calls during the transition?

CDCR has maintained an emergency interim contract with ViaPath to ensure continuity of service during the transition. Audio calls from California state prisons remain free of charge under Senate Bill 1008, the Keep Families Connected Act.

Video calling will continue, though families may need to set up new accounts with Securus once their loved one's facility transitions.

What California families are losing

For families who have relied on tablet messaging and photo sharing, this transition represents a real loss. Consider what is being deleted:

All of these digital memories will be permanently lost from the tablets during the switch.

The alternative: why physical photos matter more than ever

CDCR is one of a limited number of departments of corrections in the United States that still allows families to send physical, printed photos through the mail. In most states, mail scanning policies and digital-only communication have become standard.

Physical printed photos offer something digital photos cannot: permanence. When you send a real printed photo to your loved one:

During a transition period when digital photos are being deleted, printed photos remain untouched. They are not stored on any system. They are not subject to contract changes or technology updates.

How to send photos to California prisons during the transition

While the transition is happening, families can continue sending photos through the mail. Pelipost lets you upload photos from your phone and have them professionally printed and mailed directly to your loved one.

  1. Upload your photos through Pelipost
  2. Pelipost prints them as high-quality photos
  3. They are mailed directly to the facility
  4. Your loved one receives real, physical photos

This method bypasses the entire digital system. Your photos arrive regardless of which tablet vendor has the current contract.

What you should do right now

If your loved one's facility has not completed the transition yet:

  1. Check the transition schedule to see when their facility will switch
  2. Understand that current tablet photos will not transfer and will not be accessible during incarceration
  3. Consider sending physical printed photos that will not be affected by the transition
  4. Save important digital photos you have sent in the past and re-send them as real prints, so they are not lost when the tablets change
  5. Set up for the future with a method of connection that does not depend on which vendor has the contract

The bigger picture

The CDCR tablet transition highlights an important reality about digital communication in correctional facilities. Contracts change. Vendors switch. Technology updates. When these changes happen, digital content can disappear overnight.

CDCR is actually ahead of many states in continuing to allow physical mail and printed photos. Many facilities nationwide have moved to mail-scanning systems where families can no longer send physical items. The fact that California still permits printed photos is an opportunity that should not be taken for granted.

Frequently asked questions

Can my loved one keep their photos after release?

CDCR states that incarcerated individuals can request their digital content from ViaPath upon release. However, during incarceration, once the facility switches, those photos are not accessible.

Will new photos sent through Securus tablets be permanent?

Digital photos on any tablet system exist until the next system change. If CDCR switches vendors again in the future, the same issue could occur.

Are video calls affected by the transition?

Video calling will continue but may require setting up new accounts with Securus.

How much do Securus tablets cost?

The tablets are provided free. Some premium content and services have associated costs.

Can I still send letters and cards during the transition?

Yes. Physical mail is not affected by the tablet transition.

Stay connected during system changes

The transition does not have to disrupt your connection with your loved one. While digital systems change, physical mail continues. While tablet vendors switch, printed photos still arrive. Real photos, real mail, real connection. These survive any transition.