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Communication services expanded in N.C. correctional facilities after Hurricane Helene

After 2,000 inmates were relocated, Viapath increased networking capabilities in these new housing areas to ensure continued access to communications services

Tropical Weather

Water is seen outside the banks of the Swannanoa river in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Swannanoa, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Mike Stewart/AP

By Corrections1 Staff

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — ViaPath Technologies has stepped in to boost its networking infrastructure in North Carolina correctional facilities following the impact of Hurricane Helene, which led to widespread power and water outages in the region, according to a news release from the company.

More than 2,000 inmates were relocated from several western North Carolina correctional facilities to alternate locations due to storm damage. In response, ViaPath said it increased networking capabilities in these new housing areas to ensure continued access to communications services.

The company worked with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) to provide its ViaPath Inspire tablets, allowing relocated residents to maintain contact with loved ones and access free educational and wellness programs, according to the news release .

ViaPath said it has also issued free calls to all incarcerated individuals using their services in the state.

“We understand the importance of communications, particularly in stressful times such as the unprecedented aftermath of Hurricane Helene,” said ViaPath CEO Deb Alderson. “We have discussed the likelihood of needs like this with our clients and were ready to jump in as soon as it was possible to build out capacity at the intake facilities. Our teams have been working around the clock to ensure that as residents were moved, the communications capacity would be there to meet their needs.”

Corrections1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.

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