Phone Calls and Messaging at California Medical Facility

Voice Calls Are Free

California made all outgoing voice calls from its state prisons free on January 1, 2023, ending the old system where families paid per-minute rates to accept collect calls. There’s no cost to you or the incarcerated person for a standard phone call, and nothing to set up or fund for voice calls specifically.

How Calls Work

The incarcerated person places calls from housing-unit phones during allowed hours. You cannot call into the prison and be connected to a specific person. Each call is limited to 15 minutes, after which the person can place another call if a phone is free. The person dials from their own PIN on the state’s contracted phone system. Access can differ for people housed in medical or psychiatric units, so ask staff how it works if your loved one is in a specialized unit.

Calls Are Monitored and Recorded

Assume every call is monitored and recorded, which is standard across CDCR. The one exception is calls to a properly registered legal number, which are not recorded. Attorneys can have their number registered as confidential legal contact through the institution.

Tablets and Messaging

Incarcerated people at CDCR institutions have access to tablets that add electronic messaging and media on top of free voice calls. These tablet services are billed separately from the free voice calls. CDCR no longer provides video visiting, so tablet messaging and free phone calls are the main ways to stay in touch between in-person visits.

The ViaPath to Securus Transition

CDCR is moving its tablet and e-message service from ViaPath Technologies to Securus Technologies, one institution at a time, on a rollout running through 2026. Because the switchover date differs by prison, the correct app and account setup for CMF depends on which provider is live there right now. Call the institution at (707) 448-6841 to confirm the current provider before you download an app or create an account.

Blocking or Unblocking a Number

If a number needs to be blocked or unblocked, or if your number isn’t accepting calls, contact the phone provider’s customer support once you’ve confirmed whether CMF is on ViaPath or Securus. The institution can tell you which provider handles the account.

Troubleshooting a Failed Call

If calls aren’t going through, the most common causes are a phone carrier that blocks prison calls, a number that hasn’t been set up to receive them, or an account issue on the provider’s side. Confirm your number can accept the calls, and contact the current provider’s support line. If you’re not sure which provider CMF uses, call the institution first.