Penmate Inmate Support Guides
ciw-cost-savings-securus-via-viapath

How much you'll save when CIW moves to Securus: video calls, e-messages, and photos

If you use video calls, e-messages, or photos at California Institution for Women (CIW), the switch from ViaPath to Securus works in your favor. Here are the exact rate differences—plus a few scenarios to help you estimate your monthly savings.

• 3 min read • cdcr.ca.gov
How much you'll save when CIW moves to Securus: video calls, e-messages, and photos

Here's a straightforward comparison of current rates versus what you'll pay after CIW switches to Securus. Video calls drop from $0.16 per minute to $0.10 per minute. CDCR-paid telephone calls go from $0.019 per minute to $0.016 per minute. Messaging and media get cheaper too - e-messages fall from $0.05 each to $0.03 each, and inbound photos drop from $0.05 to $0.03 each. Print color content? That shifts from $0.25 per page on ViaPath to $0.20 per page on Securus.

Biggest savings: Video calls have the largest rate drop ($0.16/min to $0.10/min). CDCR-paid telephone calls also decrease ($0.019/min to $0.016/min).

The free video-call allowance changes too. Under ViaPath, you get 15 minutes every two weeks. Under Securus, it's 30 minutes per month. If you use video calls regularly, that larger free block covers more of your month before per-minute charges kick in.

E-messages are simply cheaper after the switch: $0.05 each on ViaPath versus $0.03 each on Securus. Two cents per message doesn't sound like much, but if you message often, it adds up fast.

How much you'll save when CIW moves to Securus: video calls, e-messages, and photos
  1. Start with your monthly minutes - Weekly 30-minute video calls is about 120 minutes per month.
  2. Apply the free allowance - ViaPath: 15 minutes free per two weeks (about 30 free minutes/month). Securus: 30 free minutes/month.
  3. Calculate paid minutes - In both cases, 120 total minutes − 30 free minutes = 90 paid minutes.
  4. Price it out - ViaPath: 90 × $0.16 = $14.40/month. Securus: 90 × $0.10 = $9.00/month.
  5. Estimate your savings - $14.40 − $9.00 = $5.40 saved per month for this video-call pattern.
  1. Pick a message count - One e-message per day is about 30 messages per month.
  2. Multiply by the per-message price - ViaPath: 30 × $0.05 = $1.50/month. Securus: 30 × $0.03 = $0.90/month.
  3. Estimate your savings - $1.50 − $0.90 = $0.60 saved per month at one message per day (and more if you send more).
  1. Choose a simple monthly photo habit - Say you send 20 inbound photos in a month.
  2. Multiply by the inbound-photo price - ViaPath: 20 × $0.05 = $1.00/month. Securus: 20 × $0.03 = $0.60/month.
  3. Estimate your savings - $1.00 − $0.60 = $0.40 saved per month for 20 photos.

Quick takeaway: The biggest month-to-month savings usually come from video calls ($0.16/min down to $0.10/min). Messaging drops from $0.05 to $0.03 each, so frequent e-messages can add steady savings too.

These lower rates take effect once CIW completes its transition. The California Department of Technology awarded the new CDCR telecommunications contract to Securus Technologies, LLC on February 21, 2025. According to CDCR's rollout schedule, CIW's phone transition is set for 2/2, with the tablet transition scheduled for 2/4–2/6. Phone-related pricing changes should align with the phone transition date. Tablet-based services - video calls, e-messages, and photos - should align with the tablet transition window.

Rollout dates for CIW: Phone transition is scheduled for 2/2. Tablet transition (video calls, e-messages, photos) is scheduled for 2/4–2/6.

Find an Inmate at California Institution for Women

Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.

Exact spelling helps find results faster

Free to search · Used by families nationwide
Woman using phone to connect with loved one

More from California Institution for Women

ciw-securus-transition-timeline

CIW Securus transition timeline: what families need to do before, during, and after 2/2–2/6

CIW is switching phone and tablet services from ViaPath to Securus on a set schedule. Here's what's happening when - and what you can do now so you're not caught off guard during the changeover.

set-up-securus-video-visits-ciw

How to Set Up Video Visits with Securus at California Institution for Women (CIW)

Securus handles communications for CDCR facilities, including California Institution for Women (CIW). Setting up your account now means you'll be ready for video visits the moment they become available - no last-minute scrambling required.

setup-securus-account-before-ciw-switch

How to set up your Securus account and AdvanceConnect before CIW moves to Securus

If your loved one is at California Institution for Women (CIW), setting up your Securus account now will save you time and stress when the switch happens. Here's exactly how to get ready for video calls and messaging.