In a significant change to how Idaho's incarcerated population communicates, accesses entertainment, and manages daily prison life, the Idaho Department of Correction completed a full rollout of free ViaPath Bridge 8 tablets to every incarcerated person in all ten state prisons and five community reentry centers in 2025. The transition also moved the department away from JPay — one of the most widely used prison communication platforms in the US — to a new ecosystem under IC Solutions and ViaPath Technologies.
What Changed: JPay Out, ViaPath / IC Solutions In
The Idaho DOC published a formal announcement on its Resident Communications Updates page: "IC Solutions has transitioned away from the JPay Electronic Communication Services (ECS) program for IDOC residents." This represents a full platform switch — not just a vendor addition.
JPay, which provided electronic messaging (monitored email), music and video downloads, and tablet services, has been replaced by:
- IC Solutions for the overall communications platform
- ViaPath Technologies for subscription-based entertainment content
- Bridge 8 tablets as the device that residents use to access these services
The Free Bridge 8 Tablet
The most notable aspect of the transition is that IDOC provided every incarcerated person with a complimentary Bridge 8 tablet — the tablet itself, a charger, and earbuds with a microphone were all provided at no cost. This is a meaningful departure from the prior norm, where tablets were purchased by inmates from commissary or received through family deposits.
Replacement accessories — chargers, earbuds — can be purchased through commissary if originals are lost or damaged. The tablets themselves are facility property and are not taken home upon release, but the shift to providing devices free of charge eliminates a significant cost barrier that previously made tablets inaccessible to people whose families could not afford to purchase them.
What Families Need to Know About Staying in Touch
If you previously communicated with your loved one through JPay — electronic messages, music credits, or other JPay-based services — that system is no longer operational for IDOC. You need to set up a new account with the replacement platform. Specifically:
- For electronic messaging (email-style): Use the IC Solutions platform. Your loved one initiates messaging from their Bridge 8 tablet and you respond through the IC Solutions family portal.
- For phone calls: IDOC phone calls continue to operate through the facility's telephone system — check the IDOC website for the current approved phone service vendor and how to set up your account.
- For entertainment credits: ViaPath Technologies handles subscription-based content (music, games, educational content). Families can purchase ViaPath credits online through the ViaPath platform.
- For money deposits: Trust account deposits may have also shifted to a different provider — confirm the current deposit method through the IDOC Resident Communications Updates page at idoc.idaho.gov.
The Educational Access Component
Beyond communication and entertainment, the Bridge 8 tablets provide access to educational content. IDOC has expanded its investment in digital education, and the tablet rollout includes access to educational programming available through the platform. This complements in-person programming at IDOC facilities:
- Lewis-Clark State College (LC State) held a graduation ceremony for 22 IDOC graduates at the Orofino facility in November 2025
- IDOC established an Electrical Apprenticeship program with Levels 1 and 2 now accredited through an official apprenticeship pathway
- An ISCC Peer Mentor Program graduation was also held for staff and residents in 2025
Why This Matters for Families
Communication is one of the strongest protective factors for successful reentry and family stability during incarceration. Research consistently shows that people who maintain regular contact with supportive family members have lower recidivism rates and better mental health outcomes during and after incarceration.
The free tablet rollout removes a cost barrier that previously excluded some families and some incarcerated people from digital communication. Whether you use the electronic messaging for short daily notes or the video calling feature for face-to-face connection, the IC Solutions / ViaPath system offers tools that can support your relationship through the sentence.
IDOC's current communication service information is published and updated at idoc.idaho.gov/content/prisons/resident-communications-updates. IDOC headquarters: 1299 North Orchard Street, Suite 110, Boise, ID 83706. Phone: (208) 658-2000.