Introduction
Suppose the correctional facilities were set up as digital ecologies, not as solitary islands: Securus Technologies inmates can access educational resources, maintain communication with their loved ones, and the staff of the facility can better monitor the processes. The future of that world is increasingly coming true in 2025 and part of the key actors in this change is Securus Technologies.
This corporation, which has always been related to the idea of communications in the correctional sphere has grown much further than just phone systems. Its recent products focus on built-in functions, data analytics, rehabilitation support, and institutional safety. However it is also under heavy criticism on pricing, privacy and fairness. In this article, I will guide you to see what Securus Technologies (and its parent, Adventive) is doing today, how it is innovating, the current controversies, and what the consequences of it are on the justice, technology, and public policy.
Being one who has researched on correctional technology solutions and public-safety systems, I will provide you with information based on research, media coverage, rule-making progress and case studies. At the conclusion, you will have an idea of what to be on the lookout of- and whether this type of technology is more of an opportunity or a threat to the future of corrections.
What Is Securus Technologies?
In order to value its contribution today, we need to comprehend how Securus Technologies has developed and why it has a niche in the corrections and the public safety ecosystem.
Deep Dive
Securus Technologies is a privately held corporation (currently a subdivision of the Adventive Technologies group) headquartered in 1986 (originally under the name TZ Holdings) that offers communications, facility management, monitoring, and rehabilitative technology to correctional systems throughout the United States.
Its central operation is to make possible safe and scalable communication and digital services in correctional facilities and also supply investigative and monitoring solutions to police and management of institutions.
At the core of it, Securus Technologies is in a convoluted place: providing connectivity (calls, video, messaging) to prisoners and their families, but incorporating surveillance, analytics, control mechanisms that facilitate safety within institutions. Its platform services are commonly sold as corrections-grade – i.e. designed to survive in hardened environments, attempts to be broken into, and security limitations.
Key facts:
Securus provides service to over 1,800 correctional organizations.
Its products consist of more than 80 different technology tools and modules.
It is involved in the inmate telephony, video visitation, messaging, tablet implementation, investigative software, and facility operations software.
Semantically speaking, Securus is a provider of corrections technology or a provider of inmate communications.
Since it deals with not only public safety but also communications, it should be of high standards of reliability, security and control of data hence E-E-A-T is particularly applicable.
Both the product and service
portfolio and core product and service portfolio are business models used to guide the management of product development and service development within a company. In both business models, core product and service portfolio, as well as both product development and service development are guided by business models.
What is it specifically that this company provides? We will deconstruct its 2025 key product lines and service verticals.
Deep Dive
Telephony & Calling Services
Securus Technologies has one of the largest centralized correctional facilities calling systems, which facilitates voice call, voicemail and call analytics.
Some of the tools used will be Advance Connect (a prepaid calling account aimed at families), and Securus Technologies Debit / Direct Bill to use with account balances and billing.
On the institutional level, they offer investigative capabilities as part of the calls (e.g. voice analytics, key words, call summarization), which can assist staff in detecting suspicious activities.
Video Visitation
Video connect is their Video connect module, which is a web-based platform that enables friends, attorneys, and public officials to schedule video visits either through app or browser.
Tiered subscription models, real time access control and embedded analytics can be used in facilities to monitor usage and security.
e Messaging and Digital Messaging.
They use their e Messaging platform that enables families to communicate with each other via digital message, photos, e Cards, and short video gram subject to review and moderation.
Message review in most applications is automated, whether through keyword filters, content policies and human supervision.
Secure Tablet and Device Ecosystem.
Over the last few years, Securus Technologies has launched corrections-grade tablets (e.g. EVOTAB, Officer T80) that have biometric authentication, tamper alarms, LTE connectivity, and application ecosystems within private app stores.
Services such as educational modules, music, games, reentry planning applications or scripted entertainment are hosted on the tablets.
They also give Lightning Law, Word Alert and Investigator Pro and other institutional modules.
Investigative Monitoring Tools.
Such tools as Word Alert (speech to transcription with keyword triggers) and Investigator Pro (voiceprint anomaly detection) assist employees to process an interaction more effectively.
System dashboards are an integration of call, message, visit, and behavior logs to facilitate either trending, alerts, or generating investigative cases.
Reentry, Education and Workforce Development.
In addition to pure communications, Securus Technologies pays much more attention to rehabilitation. They can be given examples such as having their secure tablets accessible to career and technical education (CTE) tools, digital literacy training, and job pathway modules.
They have also collaborated with Work bay to implement job provision modules within correctional units.
Securus is currently contracted in other states to provide communication tablet, education and connection services- e.g. California the change of Via Path by Securus Technologies.
Innovation 2025: New Platforms and Tablets.
It is a leap year in the correctional tech industry, and Securus Technologies is putting a big bet on the next-generation platforms. We shall explore new launches and pilot programs that outline its current direction.
Deep Dive
Securus One & OMNI Lens
In 2025, the American Correctional Association (ACA) Conference, the company introduced the next-generation platform, the name of which is Securus Technologies One and OMNI Lens — integrated systems that should streamline the work of the facility, real-time intelligence, and case processing.
These are communicational, investigative, operation, and staff tool modules- that are meant to minimize this disjointed systems and increase investigative processes.
EVOTAB & Officer T80 Pilots
Securus is piloting new tablets (EVOTAB and Officer T80) during early 2025. The pilots covered both small and large correctional departments with the use of LTE connectivity and Securus Technologies, on the use of the Connect ME app with network environments.
These tablets include biometric authentication, tampering sensing, in-built applications as well as controlled personal application stores. In 2024 T-Mobile also awarded them the employee enablement so it should be noted that they are more usable in the workplace.
Minimizing Subscription Models and Upgrades.
Sequencing monolithic systems, Securus Technologies is driving modular level subscriptions, embedded analyst service, and level licensing.
The facilities can be scaled depending on the necessity – beginning with simple monitoring levels moving up to massive investigative support levels.
Integration and Monitoring of Institution.
The new products are focused on interoperability- between the facility management systems, security sensors, video surveillance feeds, incident reporting, and staff dashboards. This integration promotes faster decision making and awareness.
Investment Scale
Securus Technologies boasts in the last five years of having spent over 600 million dollars in corrections technology development.
Such innovations are expected to change the story – that of a vendor who only offers phone calls, to one of a complete-spectrum corrections technology partner.
Business Model, Revenue Streams and Pricing.
How can such a business run on a sustainable basis? Debunking revenue streams, pricing forces and monetization policies.
Deep Dive
Multiple Revenue Streams
Securus Technologies uses a multi pronged model:
Phone calls, video visitation, messaging, and media (music, apps, games): The families are charged for using the phone, video visitation, messaging and media.
Subscription and licensing: Facilities license modules, dashboards, investigative tools, and platforms.
Tablet Ecosystem Economy: tablets (applications, media, entertainment) are a small-scale digital retail environment.
Commission or Revenue Share with Facilities: There are contracts in which revenue is shared with the correctional facilities by use.
Hardware Sales and Deployment: Equipment, infrastructures, networking and installation charges.
Competitive Pressure and Pricing Adoptions.
In the past, the charges imposed on the imprisoned and their relatives were denounced as high.
The FCC issued new rate caps in 2024; 6 per minute (prisons) and up to 12 per minute (jails) on phone calls; up to 11 to 25 per minute (jurisdictions) on video calls.
The U.S. petitioned to have the rule held but Securus and pay-tell providers sought to have the rule abiding. In January 2025, they were denied by First Circuit.
Accordingly, the squeezy of the margins of the pure telephony is increasing, pushing the company towards the margins of tablet services, subscriptions, and analytics.
Comparison of Costs: Via Path vs Securus Technologies (California Case)
| Service Type | ViaPath Rate | Securus Rate (New Contract) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telephone calls | $0.019/min | $0.016/min | Slight reduction |
| Video calls | $0.16/min | $0.10/min | Savings for families |
| e Messages | $0.05 | $0.03 | Cheaper messaging |
| Free allowances | 15 min / 2 weeks | 30 min / month | More free usage under Securus |
This example demonstrates that in certain contracts, Securus boasts of reducing the costs and instead profits by other services that add value.
Legal Environment and Regulatory.
Regulatory control and legal issues are imposing in the light of its area (prisoner communications, privacy, public safety). We can discuss the major forces influencing the business environment of Securus.
Deep Dive
Telecommunications Regulation: FCC Rate Caps.
The FCC rules, as mentioned above, were implemented in August 2024, placing a limit on the cost per call and video visit to inmates.
Those caps are:
Calls in prisons: ≤ $0.06/minute
Calls in jails: ≤ $0.12/minute
Video calls (prisons): ≤ $0.16/minute
Video calls (jails): $0.11 to $0.25 based on size/contract.
Securus and others petitioned to get exemptions or stays on grounds that such caps adversely affected the viability of the business. The First Circuit denied their stay (January 2025).
Privacy & Surveillance Laws
The tracking and surveillance features are one of the features which are the most controversial. During earlier years, there were tools that were used to geolocate mobile phones- even the non-incarcerated ones-, and voice profiling. Certain of these capabilities supposedly violated a privacy or due-process limitation.
Critics have claimed on the subject that the introduction of a location validation fee on calls (which amounts to subsidizing tracking) subjects vulnerable populations to the cost of surveillance.
Securus has also been sued over its practice of capturing conversations between prisoners and counselors- lawyers- attorneys- this is of great concern to the constitutionality of attorney client privilege.
Court Decisions & Litigation
In addition to the rate limits, Securus has faced lawsuits or challenges in multiple states due to monitoring of calls, contract related issues, antitrust law, and infringement of privacy.
At the end of 2025, California entered into a significant, multi-year agreement (with a potential value of up to $315 million) with Securus, even though the company has legal problems with call recording.
Other cases (e.g. Michigan, New York) claim that Securus had collaborated with facilities to restrict in-person visitations in favor of increased call revenues.
Adherence, Control and Transparency.
In increased scrutiny, Securus would be required to ensure a high level of compliance with data protection, audit trails, access logging and compliance to facility policies. Trust is focused on its security posture, encryption key management as well as internal controls.
Oversight committees and regulators might require transparency reports, cost break downs, and auditing privileges.
Criticism, Risk and Privacy Issues.
Although it has a powerful technology and a huge size, the company does not escape the critics and real risks. Now we will explore the negative aspects, contested grounds and red flags.
Deep Dive
High Fees & Financial Burden
Communication is a necessity in the life of many families and even incarcerated persons. Pricing (not including the capping) however, was usually regarded as exploitative, and a phone call could even exceed one dollar per minute in some areas.
Despite the rate capping, video, messaging, media, games and content charges being placed on tablets are still not heavily regulated and they are capable of causing them to incur financial burdens.
Privacy, Surveillance & Data Misuse.
The tools such as geolocation, voice fingerprinting and call transcription, when used excessively according to critics, give the company- and by extension, law enforcement- too much power.
It has been feared that people who are not incarcerated might be tracked and misused location information is abused by bad actors (e.g., in one instance, a U.S. Marshal was indicted on misuse).
Openness and Power of Contract.
Since it holds a leading role in most jurisdictions, Securus can exert an excessive negotiation power in the counties or states. The imbalance of that can either inhibit competition, or result in less preferable conditions to oversee.
Critics state that facilities can sometimes prevent or deter face-to-face visitation in order to push the utilization of digital services which is a rather perverse incentive.
Technology Dependence and Lock-In.
It is quite costly, resourceful, and political to change vendors once deployed, which makes switching vendors burdensome to infrastructure and expensive. The threat of that lock-in may impair accountability and innovation.
Security & Data Breaches
Dealing with sensitive messages, this is risky: an unauthorized access, a misuse by an insider, data loss, an encryption error, or a network breach. Any violation would put legal privilege, personal information or institutional confidentiality at risk.
Use Cases & Success Stories
What are some of the places where this technology has been successful? An example is what about actual implementations and measure of outcome.
Deep Dive
California (CDCR Transition)
California awarded a contract to Securus in 2025 to upgrade Via Path systems in the California prisons.
The change is also forecasting a diminution in the call/video/message rates, increased free usage, and equitable access.
This is in the form of a side by side service comparison table:
| Metric | Via Path | Securus |
|---|---|---|
| Call rate (per min) | $0.019 | $0.016 |
| Video rate | $0.16 | $0.10 |
| e Message cost | $0.05 | $0.03 |
| Free video minutes | 15 / 2 weeks | 30 / month |
Despite the transition still being in progress (Sept 2025 to March 2026), the case remains an expensive real-life trial of the claims put forward by Securus.
Reentry and Workforce Partnerships.
In the state of Texas, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice partnered with Securus and Work bay, and the partners introduced the model of workforce training, career opportunities, and employment placement at 102 correctional facilities. During the first month, the participant population was above 100,000 inmates; 8,400 of them were provided with access to post-release employment support.
Facility Safety Impact
In a sponsored report, Securus takes a stance that in a corrections facility, a tablet use resulted in the same outcome on infractions, which decreased by 22 percent, and family connectivity which increased by 67 percent in the Niagara County facility.
This process of independent verification is a modest one, yet such words suggest that there might be exhausting the possibility of digital involvement to reduce the tension level and maintain morale.
Correctional Officer Support.
The Company does market such devices like Officer T80 tablet as the option to make the working process simpler, spend fewer hours on management, and enhance situational awareness of frontline workers.
In addition, during Correctional Officer Week 2025, Securus Technologies once again expressed its intention to provide officers with safety-based technology.
Technology has the potential to assist in delivering safer and more humane and operationally efficient correctional ecosystems in such case studies, as long as it is designed appropriately.
Securus Technologies vs Other Corrections Tech Providers: Comparison.
The game of substitutes to the choices offered in the corrections tech sector will be played to comprehend the stance of this company.
Deep Dive
Key Competitors
Global Tel Link (GTL) is another strength of inmate telecom companies.
Via Path- specifically media and tablet delivery contracts.
Regional players in the surveillance, inmate communications or niche players.
Strengths of Securus Technologies
Scale & Reach: The size of one of the biggest footprints of the U.S. corrections agencies.
End-to-End Solutions: Only offers a complete stack – telephony, tablets, investigation tools, reentry modules- reducing the need to use many vendors.
New platforms (Securus Technologies one, OMNI Lens) and modular upgrades indicate the power of the R&D.
Partnerships & Contracts: This is a high profile win of California, demonstrating a desire to reach the magnitude of state level.
Weaknesses & Challenges
Brand/Trust Issues: There is cost of credibility because of previous scandals of the surveillance and call recording.
Regulatory Pressure: The declining core telephony rates because of FCC caps.
Institutional Buy-In Reliance: There could be a possibility that not all facilities will be eager to be reliant on the hegemony of the vendors or will be more receptive.
Sample Feature Comparison
| Feature / Capability | Securus | GTL / Other Providers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integrated tablet + telephony | ✔ | Varies | Securus has deeper in-house tablet offerings |
| Investigative tools (voice analytics, alerts) | ✔ | limited or via third parties | Securus markets these as built-in differentiators |
| Modular subscription tiers | ✔ | less mature | Securus is pushing more modular architecture |
| Reentry / education modules | ✔ | niche or limited | Securus Technologies invests in workforce modules |
| Pricing strength vs regulation risk | Moderate | also challenged | All providers facing rate cap pressure |
This corporation is self-positioning as a one-stop corrections technology supplier by offering richness, sophistication and integration. Nevertheless, the competitors may be quicker or more well-known at the local level.
Challenges in Implementation and Barriers to Adoption.
The implementation of such systems within the detention facilities is not simple. Ok, we will look at actual barriers institutions have when using or switching to this tech.
Deep Dive
There are rare instances where companies fail to meet their financial obligations, and these instances are brief in duration (Miller 5).<|human|>Infrastructure & Connectivity There are rarely occasions when firms default in the payment of their financial obligations, and the periods are short-lived (Miller 5).
Most prisons and jails do not have strong internal networks, safe Wi-Fi, and strong LTE connections. Improvement of infrastructure (wireless backhaul, service redundancy, network security) is expensive and time consuming.
Staff and Culture Resistance.
Correctional personnel might not trust new systems, fear an additional workload, or enjoy the old procedures. Adoption involves training, change management, and showing of actual benefits in the day-to-day activities.
Budget & Capital Constraints
Tablet, network equipment, license and service contract acquisition require capital, which many facilities can barely finance even with a high ROI potential particularly in tight budgets.
Policy, Regulation and Oversight.
Legal restrictions, as well as state or local procurement regulations, oversight agencies, or other restrictions, can restrict what can be purchased by the facilities. Certain jurisdictions can require open systems, local data ownership, or transparency requirements.
Security & Tamper Resistance
Prison devices should be strictly secured against manipulation, smuggle points or abuse. Hardware resilience, encryption and controlled control is technically difficult.
Moderation Policies and Content.
It is a governance issue because determining which apps, media, educational content, or messaging are permitted and making the processes of moderation practicable. The policies should be in line with the institutional values, budgets, and constitutional limitations.
Vendor Lock-In & Exit Strategy
Systems are embedded and thus it becomes hard to change. The facilities need to consider long-term obligations, contractual terminations, and data mobility. It is essential to have transparency with respect to proprietary lock-in characteristics.
Outlook Future, trend analysis, risk analysis and opportunity analysis.
What do we currently believe are the major trends in this field, and how then would Securus Technologies develop (or be shaken)?
Deep Dive
Trends to Watch
E-Based Rehabilitation Services.
There will be increased demand of reentry tools, mental health apps, education and job readiness content. Vendors which combine such will be more valuable in terms of proposition.
AI & Predictive Analytics
State-of-the-art analytics (incidents prediction, risk prioritization, dynamic warning) can play a pivotal role in the institutional safety and resource distribution.
Decentralized and Open Standards.
There can be pressure on open APIs, data portability and interoperable systems to minimize vendor lock-in.
Regulation Beyond Calls
With capped calls, regulation can be extended to video, media, messaging and applications markets.
User-Centric Pricing / Equity
The systems can also be tiered to ease the strain on low-income families- e.g. basic access is free or highly subsidized, with value added premiums on entertainment.
Risks & Dark Scenarios
Regulatory Overreach or Bans: In case of abuse or data leaks, the jurisdiction may prohibit or limit proprietary systems.
Public Backlash and Lawsuits: In case of exposure of monitoring tools, business could be derailed by civil suits or law enactment.
Threat of Open-Source / Nonprofit Solutions: Nonprofit or open solutions can cut proprietary vendors off.
Security Failures: A significant attack on legal or privileged communication would damage trust and create cancellations of contracts to a considerable extent.
Strategic Opportunities of Securus Technologies.
Lean into Reentry and Social Services: Not only be a vendor but a partner in curbing recidivism.
Transparency & Audits: Publish privacy and fairness independent audits to regain public trust.
Subscriptions or versatile Pricing Models: Transition to subscriptions or hybrid finance because an end user load is less desirable.
Global Expansion / Exporting the Model: There are countries that can embrace the similar systems, however, legal and human rights are not the same.
FAQs
How expensive were the video calls in the present regulations?
In prisons, video calls are restricted due to the rule of under 2025 to $0.16 per minute.
Does Securus Technologies support family messaging or photo exchange?
Yes- using e Messaging system, families can write texts, send pictures, e Cards or even short video grams (they undergo review).
Does Securus Technologies roll out tablets on a nationwide basis?
It is not universal; it does not rely on state and local contracting. In some states, it is in transition (e.g. California).
Has Securus Technologies engaged in controversies in law?
Yes, above all, the lawsuit against the recording of attorney-client conversations and the abuse of tracking programs.
What frequency of reviewing contracts and prices by the stakeholders?
Ideally after every 6-12 months, in line with regulatory, technological, and usage changes.
Conclusion
In 2025, Securus Technologies this company will no longer be a mere telecom provider in prisons it is now building itself as a full-stack corrections technology partner. It is trying to define what the digital corrections will be in the decade to come between integrated communication systems, analytic tools, tablets, and reentry platforms.
Nonetheless, the increased role, however, poses profound ethical, equity, oversight, and trust questions. With the increasing regulatory pressure, the margins in traditional calling decrease, and the public pressure increases, the company needs to tilt towards transparency, fairness, and value other than revenue extraction.
As a policymaker, director of a facility, reentry advocate, or technologist, evaluating such systems, I suggest:
Transparency of demand -contractual terms, audit rights, data portability.
Pilot small, test vigorously – test behavioral, cost and safety measures.
Create people-friendly pricing- do not strain families.
Look at terms on an annual basis- revise to include changes in regulations, usage statistics as well as changing technology.
Wondering to take a more in-depth look into a certain tool (e.g. tablet offering, pricing structure, privacy audit) or designing just contracts with corrections tech vendors? I’d be happy to build that next.
