How to Contact an Inmate at Facility
If your loved one is in a CDCR facility, here's the key thing to know: communication services are changing. Getting set up early will save you time once the transition reaches your person's facility.
CDCR is switching offender communication services from ViaPath to Securus. This is a system-wide change affecting all CDCR facilities as they roll through the transition, not just one location or housing unit.
Act early: You need to create a Securus account prior to your loved one’s facility transition.
The vendor change from ViaPath to Securus is underway. Creating a Securus account ahead of time is part of being ready. Exact rollout dates, feature availability during the changeover, and any special exceptions vary by facility. Confirm the current status before you add money, schedule anything, or rely on one platform.
Steps to Follow
- ✓ Create a Securus account now (do this before your loved one’s facility transitions).
- ✓ Confirm whether your loved one’s facility has already transitioned from ViaPath to Securus, or if the change is still pending.
- ✓ Once the facility transitions, be ready to use your Securus login for communication going forward.
The transition happens facility by facility, so verify where things stand for your loved one's location. The key question: has that specific facility completed the move from ViaPath to Securus? If not, when is the change expected?
- ✓ Is a Securus account required right now for your loved one’s facility, or only after the transition date?
- ✓ Are there any required account setup steps (including any identity verification) you need to complete before you can use Securus?
- ✓ During the transition window, are there alternate options or temporary procedures you need to follow to stay in contact?
- ✓ Where are the official notices for this facility and for CDCR’s rollout updates (so you are not relying on third-party summaries)?
Find an Inmate at Chowchilla State Prison, CA
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