CDCR Tablet Transition: What California Prison Families Need to Know About ViaPath to Securus Switch
Why Old Tablet Photos Won't Transfer to the New System: Understanding the 2025-2026 California Prison Tablet Change
If you have a loved one in a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facility, you need to understand what's happening with the tablet system right now. Between October 2025 and February 2026, every CDCR facility is switching from ViaPath tablets to Securus tablets. This transition affects how your loved one accesses content, communicates with family, and most importantly, what happens to the photos you've already sent.
What Is the CDCR Tablet Transition?
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation awarded a new telecommunications contract to Securus Technologies in February 2025. This decision came after the previous contract with ViaPath Technologies was vacated following a Sacramento County Superior Court ruling.
CDCR facilities are now in the process of replacing all ViaPath tablets with new Securus tablets. The transition timeline runs from October 2025 through February 2026, with different facilities switching at different times.
The Most Important Thing Families Need to Know
According to CDCR's official announcement: "Content such as music, photos, and e-messages does not transfer."
This means photos currently stored on ViaPath tablets will not move to the new Securus system. There is no automatic transfer or backup process. The photos you sent last week, last month, or last year will not be accessible on the new tablets.
CDCR has stated that incarcerated individuals can request their digital content from ViaPath upon release. However, this option may not apply to everyone, particularly those serving life sentences or longer terms. And during their time inside, once the facility switches, those photos will not be available to view or access.
What Happens to Photos on CDCR Tablets During the Transition?
When your loved one's facility completes the tablet switch:
- All photos stored on the ViaPath tablet will not transfer
- All e-messages and correspondence will not transfer
- Music, videos, and other purchased content will not transfer
- Your loved one will receive a new Securus tablet with no previous content
CDCR has stated that incarcerated individuals can request their digital content from ViaPath upon release. However, during their time inside, those photos and messages will not be accessible.
CDCR Tablet Transition Timeline by Facility
The transition is happening in phases:
- October 2025: Initial facilities begin switching
- November 2025 - January 2026: Most facilities complete transition
- February 2026: Final facilities switch to Securus tablets
To find out when your loved one's specific facility’s transition is scheduled, refer to the Facility Rollout Schedule from CDCR.
Will My Loved One Get a New Tablet?
Yes. Every incarcerated person at CDCR facilities will turn in their ViaPath tablet and receive a new Securus tablet. The tablets are provided at no cost, though certain premium features may have charges.
What About Video Calls and Phone Calls During the CDCR Transition?
CDCR has maintained an emergency interim contract with ViaPath to ensure continuity of service during the transition. Audio calls from California state prisons remain free of charge under Senate Bill 1008, the Keep Families Connected Act.
Video calling functionality will continue, though families may need to set up new accounts with Securus once their loved one's facility transitions.
How Does the Securus Tablet Differ from ViaPath?
The new Securus tablets will offer similar functionality to ViaPath tablets:
- Free content including educational materials, e-books, and religious resources
- Paid services like movies, music, and premium content
- Electronic messaging capabilities
- Video calling features
- Access to CDCR policies and regulations
The main difference is the provider. Securus Technologies is now the contracted vendor for California prison communications.
What California Prison Families Are Losing
For families who have relied on tablet messaging and photo sharing, this transition represents a significant loss. Consider what's being deleted:
- Birthday photos you sent years ago
- Holiday memories from last Christmas
- Graduation pictures
- Photos of grandchildren growing up
- Images of family members who have passed away
- First steps, first days of school, family gatherings
All of these digital memories will be permanently lost from the tablets during the switch.
The Alternative: Why Physical Photos Matter More Than Ever
CDCR is one of a very limited number of departments of corrections in the United States that still allows families to send physical, printed photos through the mail. This is not the case in most states, where mail scanning policies and digital-only communication have become standard.
Physical printed photos offer something digital photos cannot: permanence. When you send a real printed photo to your loved one:
- It arrives in their hands as something they can physically hold
- No system change can delete it
- No vendor switch affects it
- It stays with them through facility transfers
- It becomes a real keepsake they own
During a transition period when digital photos are being deleted, printed photos remain untouched. They're not stored on any system. They're not subject to contract changes or technology updates.
How to Send Photos to California Prisons During the Transition
While the CDCR tablet transition is happening, families can continue sending photos through the mail. Services like Pelipost allow you to upload photos from your phone and have them professionally printed and mailed directly to your loved one.
The process is simple:
- Upload your photos through Pelipost.com
- Pelipost prints them as high-quality photos
- They're mailed directly to the facility
- Your loved one receives real, physical photos
This method bypasses the entire digital system. Your photos arrive regardless of which tablet vendor has the current contract.
CDCR Tablet Photos vs Printed Photos: Understanding the Difference
Digital Tablet Photos:
- Stored on tablets until system changes
- Can be lost during vendor transitions
- Dependent on current technology contracts
- Vulnerable to system updates and changes
Physical Printed Photos:
- Delivered directly to your loved one
- Not affected by system changes
- Real keepsakes they can hold and keep
- Not dependent on any vendor or contract
- Permanent unless physically damaged
What You Should Do Right Now
If your loved one's facility hasn't completed the CDCR tablet transition yet:
1. Check the transition schedule to see when their facility will switch
2. Understand that current tablet photos will not transfer to the new system and won't be accessible during incarceration
3. Consider sending physical printed photos that won't be affected by the transition
4. Save important digital photos you've sent in the past and re-send with Pelipost, as they'll soon be gone from the tablets
5. Set up for the future with a communication method that doesn't depend on which vendor has the contract
The Bigger Picture: Digital Communication in California Prisons
The CDCR tablet transition highlights an important reality about digital communication in correctional facilities. Contracts change. Vendors switch. Technology updates. When these changes happen, digital content can disappear overnight.
CDCR is actually ahead of many states in continuing to allow physical mail and printed photos. Many facilities nationwide have moved to mail scanning systems where families can no longer send physical items. The fact that California still permits printed photos is an opportunity that shouldn't be taken for granted.
Frequently Asked Questions About the CDCR Tablet Transition
Q: Can my loved one keep their photos after release?
A: CDCR states that incarcerated individuals can request their digital content from ViaPath upon release. However, during incarceration, once the facility switches, those photos are not accessible.
Q: Will new photos sent through Securus tablets be permanent?
A: Digital photos on any tablet system exist until the next system change. If CDCR switches vendors again in the future, the same issue could occur.
Q: Are video calls affected by the transition?
A: Video calling will continue but may require setting up new accounts with Securus.
Q: How much do Securus tablets cost?
A: The tablets are provided free to incarcerated individuals. Some premium content and services have associated costs.
Q: Can I still send letters and cards during the transition?
A: Yes. Physical mail is not affected by the tablet transition.
Moving Forward After the CDCR Tablet Switch
By the end of February 2026, all California prison facilities will have completed the switch to Securus tablets. The ViaPath system will be gone, and with it, every photo that was stored digitally.
For families, this transition is a reminder that digital communication in correctional settings is temporary. Contracts expire. Technology changes. What seems permanent can disappear overnight.
The lesson many California families are learning: real, physical photos are the only true way to preserve memories during incarceration. They're something your loved one can hold, something no system update can delete, something that stays with them regardless of which company has the telecommunications contract this year.
Stay Connected During System Changes
The CDCR tablet transition doesn't have to disrupt your connection with your loved one. While digital systems change, physical mail continues. While tablet vendors switch, printed photos still arrive.
If you want to ensure your photos reach your loved one regardless of system transitions, consider sending real printed photos. Services like Pelipost make it easy to send professional-quality prints directly from your phone to any California prison facility.
Your connection with your loved one shouldn't depend on which vendor has the current contract. Real photos, real mail, real connection: these survive any transition.
About Pelipost:
Pelipost is a family-run company founded by a mother and son who experienced incarceration firsthand. We understand the importance of staying connected because we've been there. Our service makes it easy to send real, printed photos to your incarcerated loved ones in facilities across the United States. Learn more at pelipost.com.
This blog post was last updated in October 2025. For the most current information about the CDCR tablet transition, visit the official CDCR website at cdcr.ca.gov.
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