June 30, 2023 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: JoEllen Smith, joellen.smith@odrc.state.oh.us
Ohio Transitions Communications Provider for theIncarcerated Population and their Loved Ones
More services are being offered at prices among the lowest in the country among correctional agencies.
(Columbus, OH) The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) has been transitioning tablet, communication, entertainment, and electronic education vendors to give the incarcerated population enhanced opportunities to communicate with family and friends at a significantly reduced cost.
Under the new ViaPath contract, new tablets were distributed last fall at no cost. These tablets include applications such as a wellness app, education opportunities, more book selections, podcasts, and internet radio. An upgraded messaging application is also available for incarcerated people and their loved ones.
“Whether they’re using messaging, phone calls, or video visits, the costs have been drastically reduced by this contract, and some free services are available to ensure families can more easily connect with their loved ones,” said Director Annette Chambers-Smith. “We have already seen the volume of communication increase as a result of the reduction in price.”
Additional highlights of the ViaPath contract services include:
- The cost of domestic phone calls was reduced by 60%.
- Sixty minutes of free calls provided for newly incarcerated people in reception centers upon arrival.
- Twelve free 10-minute calls each month for the entire population.
- The cost of video visits decreased by over 50%, and most incarcerated adults will no longer have to schedule video visits. In addition, they will now only pay for actual minutes used during the video visitation session instead of buying 30-minute blocks.
- Fifteen minutes of free video visitationper month.
- Costs of outbound and inbound messages, video grams, and photo messages reduced by 50 to 75%.
- Streaming music pricing reduced.
- Eight free electronic messages a month for the entire population.
- The four most popular video games are free (non-violent games). Video games subscription is $2.99 a year.
- Cost to transfer money reduced while money orders remain free.
Maintaining connections with family and loved ones during a period of incarceration is a critical component of effective rehabilitation.
“Being able to maintain relationships with family and friends during incarceration is vital for rehabilitation, and we want to do whatever we can to facilitate that ongoing and important connection,” said Chambers-Smith. “These communications services are offered at some of the lowest rates available in the country, making it easier and more affordable for families to stay connected with their incarcerated loved ones.”
This transition represents the first time in history that a correctional agency has switched communication vendors without the incarcerated population experiencing a loss of meaningful media files, such as messages, music, and photos. (Previously purchased games were not included in the transfer of services.)
“I was pleased to be able to use my previous experience working in correctional technology to ensure that music and personal files moved seamlessly from vendor to vendor,” Chambers-Smith said. “It was a priority to have as little disruption to services as possible while ensuring that incarcerated men and women did not lose their unused funds and previously stored media files, such as pictures, messages, and music.”
The transition from Securus Technologies (formerly JPay) to ViaPath Technologies/GTL will be complete by the end of the month, and the Securus Technologies contract will end in July 2023. After July 31, 2023, Securus Technologies will begin reimbursing incarcerated people for unused funds in their accounts. This process is expected to take several weeks to complete.
The ViaPath contract was competitively bid by the Ohio Department of Administrative Services, and ODRC receives no monetary fees from any of the services provided.
Families and loved ones can access ViaPath services by using the links below:
- https://web.connectnetwork.com/odrc-ohio-department-of-rehabilitation-and-correction/
- https://www.gettingout.com/
- https://ohdoc.gtlvisitme.com/app
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