Agreement ensures orderly continuation of operations and service for customers and consumers

Agreement includes extension of debt maturities, reduction in cash interest expense, and injection of new capital

Agreement clears path for consideration of strategic alternatives

DALLAS, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Aventiv Technologies, a communications and technology business serving the incarcerated, their friends and family, and state and local correctional facilities, today announced an agreement with all necessary financial stakeholders to strengthen its financial foundation by extending debt maturities, reducing cash interest expense, and injecting new capital into the business.

Parties to the agreement are Aventiv (the “Company”); financial sponsor Platinum Equity (“Platinum”); and 100% of its lender group. Key terms include an extension of maturities of the Company’s first lien senior secured notes and credit facilities; a reduction of cash interest expense; and an addition of new capital.

“We appreciate that our financial stakeholders have come together to ensure that we have the necessary capital and financial structure to support our business, our customers and consumers, and our employees for the long run,” said Aventiv Chief Executive Officer Dave Abel.

“Our business focus is to expand the products, services, security, access, and affordability we provide to our facility customers, incarcerated consumers, and their friends and families,” Abel said. “This financing agreement and the strategic flexibility it provides will ensure we deliver on that promise now and in the future.”

With the agreement in place, normal-course operations and service to customers and consumers continue uninterrupted. The Company and Platinum will resume their evaluation of strategic alternatives for Aventiv, which has been significantly transformed under Platinum’s ownership.

Alternatives include the possible sale of the business to a buyer capable of supporting the Company’s continued evolution from a narrow telecommunications provider to a technology platform company delivering secure, accessible technology that helps eliminate digital deserts in correctional facilities, improving outcomes for the country’s corrections community.

Key elements of the transformation during Platinum’s ownership include:

(i) appointment of a new management team focused on collaborative, solutions-oriented engagement with customers, consumers, and regulators;

(ii) improved affordability and accessibility of communication services for customers, consumers, and their friends and family, via vastly expanded connections delivered through phone apps on tablets, secure e-messaging and text, and video connect capabilities;

(iii) development of an expansive new suite of technology products and services supporting access to media, education, job training, and other programs designed to support rehabilitative justice and help reduce recidivism;

(iv) creation of the Justice Sandbox, a digital marketplace where justice-impacted tech entrepreneurs can develop and launch content that directly supports currently incarcerated individuals preparing for reentry;

(v) investment of more than $600 million over the past five years to build the quality infrastructure and innovative solutions, while deploying more than 600K tablets, that help keep families and communities safe and connected when a loved one is incarcerated – providing resources otherwise unavailable if facility customers relied solely on public funds.

Aventiv is well-positioned to grow market share by continuing to innovate solutions that create safer environments for both corrections staff and incarcerated individuals; providing greater connectivity between the incarcerated and their friends and loved ones; establishing broader access to education, employment, religious and mental health content, and entertainment; and working to ease reintegration and reduce recidivism for incarcerated individuals.

Advisers engaged in the financing agreement included the following:

For Aventiv, Milbank acted as legal advisor, FTI Consulting acted as financial advisor, and PJT Partners LP acted as investment banking advisor.

For Platinum Equity, Willkie Farr & Gallagher acted as legal advisor.

For the Lenders, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher acted as legal advisor, and Evercore acted as financial advisor.

About Aventiv Technologies
Aventiv Technologies is an industry-leading modern technology company that creates more secure environments within correctional facilities, supporting corrections officials and connecting incarcerated individuals to technology that supports their reentry.