Wasco State Prison: Phone and Tablet Transition — What Families Need to Know (Securus Rollout)

Wasco State Prison’s phone transition date is 3/16. If you’re trying to avoid gaps in contact, treat that date as your “phone cutoff” for the old setup and your starting point for the new one.

Tablets transition between 3/18 and 3/20. That's when tablet-based communication and services move to Securus.

This is part of a statewide shift. California awarded the telecommunications contract to Securus Technologies, LLC on February 21, 2025, and CDCR kept an interim agreement with ViaPath to prevent interruptions while facilities transition. What this means for you: your loved one stays on ViaPath until Wasco switches over. Only start using Securus after the transition is complete.

Here's something families often don't expect: ViaPath content doesn't transfer. Photos, e-messages, and media purchased through ViaPath won't move to the new Securus tablets. Plan as if those items stay behind on the old platform.

• ✓ If you have unused balances on ViaPath, request a refund through the ViaPath call center.
• ✓ If your loved one has a remaining balance, that incarcerated balance will be refunded to their trust account automatically.

Costs will shift once Wasco moves to Securus. Video calls drop from $0.16/min (ViaPath) to $0.10/min (Securus) - a difference that adds up fast with regular video visits. The CDCR comparison also shows changes to "free" monthly allowances between platforms (free video time and free e-messages are listed differently). Once you're on Securus, double-check what's included before adding funds.

1. Create your Securus account now - you can set it up through the Securus website or the Securus mobile app.
2. Plan for video calls and e-messages - even if you don’t need an online account to receive free phone calls, you will need the Securus account when video calling and e-messaging are available.
3. Set up funding for video if you’ll use it - in the app, look for AdvanceConnect to set up and add funds for prepaid video calls.

Video Connect lets you schedule and join video sessions from any device with internet access - phone, tablet, or computer. Just watch the timing: until Wasco transitions, your loved one is still on ViaPath. Switch to Securus only after the transition is complete, so you don't accidentally book or fund the wrong platform.

Tablets get exchanged during the transition. Your loved one will turn in their ViaPath tablet and receive a new Securus device. If they mention a swap or a brief adjustment period, that's expected.

The key dates at Wasco: phone transition on 3/16, tablet transition 3/18–3/20. The tablet exchange happens during that window, so if communication feels unsettled around those days, it's likely tied to the changeover.

Faq Quick Notes

• ✓ Expect a clean break between platforms: ViaPath photos, e-messages, and purchased media won’t transfer to Securus tablets.
• ✓ Handle leftover money the right way: families can request ViaPath refunds through the ViaPath call center, while incarcerated balances are refunded to trust accounts automatically.
• ✓ Set yourself up now: open a Securus account (website or mobile app) so you’re ready for video calls and e-messages once Wasco has transitioned.