What Happens to Photos, E‑messages, and Media When Kern Valley State Prison Switches to Securus (March 2025)
Kern Valley State Prison is switching from ViaPath to Securus in late March 2025. Here's what CDCR has announced about timing, what content won't carry over, and what you can do now to avoid losing purchases or balances.
CDCR's rollout schedule shows Kern Valley State Prison's phone service transitioning on 3/23, with tablet service following from 3/24–3/27. If you're planning to send messages, buy photos, or manage your account, treat that window as the period when ViaPath starts handing off to Securus.
Note: CDCR says transition dates are tentative and could change, and there may be intermittent outages during each institution’s switch.
Here's the big one: CDCR says content does not transfer. Photos, e‑messages, and other media purchased through ViaPath won't move to the new Securus tablets. If you buy something through ViaPath right before the switch, don't assume it will appear on the new device.
During the transition, incarcerated people at Kern Valley will turn in their ViaPath tablet and receive a new Securus tablet. That swap is the cutoff - anything stored or purchased through ViaPath stays behind.
Got unused money in a ViaPath balance? CDCR says families can request a refund by contacting the ViaPath call center. Check sooner rather than later - especially if you've been adding funds for e‑messages, photos, or other purchases.
For the incarcerated person's side, CDCR says any remaining ViaPath balance will be refunded automatically to their trust account. If your loved one had money sitting there, it should move back into their trust funds without anyone needing to start the process.
Concrete Steps Families
- ✓ Treat 3/23 (phone) and 3/24–3/27 (tablet) as the scheduled Kern Valley transition window when planning purchases
- ✓ Avoid buying new ViaPath photos, e‑messages, or other media close to the changeover, since CDCR says that content cannot transfer to Securus
- ✓ Stay flexible if you’re timing something important - CDCR says the posted transition dates are tentative and could change
- ✓ Review whether you have any unused ViaPath balance that you want back
- ✓ If you do, request a refund through the ViaPath call center (CDCR says families can do this)
- ✓ Know what happens on your loved one’s side: CDCR says remaining ViaPath balances for incarcerated people will be refunded automatically to their trust accounts
Tip: Plan for spotty service during the switch - CDCR warns there may be intermittent outages as each institution transitions.
For the latest timing, check CDCR's tablet rollout schedule for Kern Valley - the same page listing the 3/23 phone transition and 3/24–3/27 tablet transition. If dates shift, that's where CDCR posts updates.
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