What Happens to Your Photos and Messages When Salinas Valley Switches to Securus Tablets

CDCR is moving institutions from ViaPath to Securus after the California Department of Technology awarded a new telecommunications contract to Securus Technologies, LLC on February 21, 2025. For Salinas Valley State Prison, the posted rollout schedule shows the telephone transition on 4/13 and the tablet transition window as 4/14–4/17 - though these dates are tentative. CDCR has also secured an interim agreement with ViaPath to prevent service interruptions during the changeover.

Photos saved on ViaPath tablets won't move to the new Securus devices. CDCR's transition guidance is clear on this point - plan accordingly.

E-messages won't transfer either. Don't assume you'll be able to scroll back through old conversations after the switch - those messages stay in the ViaPath system.

Media purchased through ViaPath is also non-transferable. Any content your family bought on the ViaPath platform stays tied to ViaPath - it won't appear on the new Securus device.

This isn't just a software update. Incarcerated people will turn in their ViaPath tablet and receive a new Securus tablet during the transition. That exchange is when many people expect their content to follow them - but ViaPath content won't make the jump.

For SVSP, the rollout schedule lists 4/13 for the telephone transition and 4/14–4/17 for tablets (tentative). The interim ViaPath agreement helps maintain service continuity, but it doesn't change the content-transfer rule. Photos, e-messages, and purchased media still won't move over.

Next Steps

• ✓ Contact ViaPath and ask what options (if any) exist to export or preserve photos, e-messages, and purchased media before the tablet exchange.
• ✓ Ask ViaPath specifically whether there’s a way to download, print, or otherwise save message history and photos tied to your account.
• ✓ Contact Securus and ask what you’ll need to be ready to use messaging and video calling services once SVSP transitions.
• ✓ Open a Securus account (web or mobile) ahead of time so you’re not scrambling once services switch over.

Have unused money in ViaPath? Families can request refunds for unused balances through the ViaPath call center. For incarcerated people, CDCR says unused balances will be refunded automatically to their trust accounts. Not sure which applies to you? Contact ViaPath to confirm what gets refunded and how.

1. Take inventory of what matters most - have your loved one identify the photos, message threads, and any purchased media on the ViaPath tablet they don’t want to lose.
2. Call ViaPath to confirm preservation and refund options - ask what can be exported or saved, and whether you should request a refund for any unused family balance through the ViaPath call center.
3. Preserve what you can using vendor-supported methods - don’t guess at workarounds; ask ViaPath what they support for saving photos or message history tied to the ViaPath platform.
4. Create your Securus account now - CDCR’s Securus guidance tells families to open an account (web or mobile) so you’re ready to use future Securus services like messaging and video calls after SVSP transitions.

Questions Checklist

• ✓ Can photos stored on the ViaPath tablet be exported or saved before the exchange? If yes, what are the supported options?
• ✓ Can e-messages (including older message history) be exported, downloaded, or otherwise preserved?
• ✓ What happens to media purchased through ViaPath - does any of it carry over, or is it permanently tied to ViaPath?
• ✓ If I have an unused ViaPath balance, do I need to request a refund through the ViaPath call center, or will it be handled automatically?
• ✓ What should I do now to be ready for Securus messaging and video calls at SVSP - should I open a Securus account ahead of time, and what information will I need?