ViaPath Technologies is an innovative company in more than one way.
The company has been a leader in the telecommunications industry for over 30 years, with a purpose that sets it apart from the competition.
That goal is ensuring that incarcerated individuals have more opportunities to reintegrate in society using ViaPath’s cutting-edge technologies. And ViaPath does this in hopes of helping imprisoned individuals break the cycle of incarceration, so they don’t end up behind bars again.
“ViaPath’s mission is to provide the resources incarcerated individuals need to break the cycle of incarceration and successfully reintegrate into society,” ViaPath CEO Deb Alderson said. “Our technology offers the justice-involved a chance to learn valuable hard and soft skills that equip them for reentry. We offer a wide range of services on our tablets, including applications in the areas of education, communication, efficiency, and entertainment.”
Through much research and investigation, ViaPath found that the likelihood of recidivism goes down when those in jail have access to online learning technology. When they are able to communicate with the outside world and expand educational opportunities, incarcerated individuals tend to have a stronger willingness to turn their lives around.
“Our services and technology have evolved to provide valuable insight into incarcerated populations and facilities, drive higher levels of safety for inmates and staff, and enable correctional agencies to meet shifting operational challenges with confidence,” Alderson said. “Over the years, ViaPath Technologies has been at the forefront of the corrections market with the first web-based inmate telephone platform, the first wireless tablet with the ability to make phone calls, and the first web-based jail management system.”
Since Alderson took over in 2018, ViaPath has focused on several expansive ideas that include reintegration, education, and post-release support. This focus grew out of the company’s goal of creating safer, more innovative corrections environments. Alderson says helping the incarcerated develop skills and goals for their time after release, improves the prison environment for both the incarcerated and staff. The company is expanding, growing from Falls Church, VA, to a long-tenured, stable workforce in Pennsylvania and many other states.
Alderson has firsthand experience in working to communicate with an incarcerated loved one and help them build a productive life after serving their time. She believes turning corrections environments into productive, open-minded environments can make all the difference in the world.
ViaPath seeks to dispel the notion that people in jail are “bad people.” Everyone makes mistakes, and some individuals get caught up in actions they regret. ViaPath believes these individuals deserve a second chance.
ViaPath also remains true to its word once incarcerated individuals get released, as the company provides these individuals with a second chance in the workplace. ViaPath is a second-chance employer and works hard to encourage other companies to follow the same hiring philosophy.
On top of everything else, ViaPath is constantly evolving. As new technology emerges, ViaPath works to use that technology to help advance incarcerated individuals’ reformation and reintegration to society.
“Incarcerated individuals and their families and friends can communicate by text, video visits, or phone calls, allowing for more frequent and personal communication,” Alderson said. “Additional apps like news, movies, streaming music, and games offer opportunities for recreation and the ability to stay abreast of current events outside of prison. Our tablets are giving incarcerated individuals the chance they need to live a purpose-filled life after release, and we recently published a white paper that speaks to the value of technology in community reintegration.”
ViaPath Technologies wants to be a change-maker in the world. Alderson and her team have realized that by providing the right tools, they’re giving people the encouragement, information, and connectivity they need to step out of incarceration and into a brighter future – one that helps them realize their true potential as engaged, productive members of society.
