How to Contact an Inmate at Facility

CDCR is transitioning inmate communication services from ViaPath to Securus. During this kind of change, the way you set up and manage communication can shift. Being ready for provider-related changes before you try to make contact will save you headaches.

Create a Securus account ahead of time. CDCR's guidance is clear: visitors and clients need a Securus account in place before a loved one's facility transitions. Waiting until the last minute can leave you stuck when you are trying to connect.

Steps-to-follow

• ✓ Create your Securus account before your loved one’s facility transition
• ✓ Set aside the basic information you may need when creating or managing the account (so you are not scrambling when you need it)
• ✓ Check with the facility to confirm whether there are any additional steps required on your side beyond having an active Securus account

Because CDCR is switching providers, expect the process to feel different than it did under ViaPath, especially right around the transition. If you have a specific deadline (like an upcoming event you want to talk about), get your account set up early. You do not want to troubleshoot during the switchover window.

Before you rely on any one set of instructions, verify three things with the facility or through official CDCR communications: whether the switch from ViaPath to Securus is already complete at your loved one's location, when exactly your Securus account needs to be active, and whether the facility has specific rules for approved contact methods or visitor accounts during the transition.