Long after the end of Covid shutdowns - inmates at Rimutaka Prison in Upper Hutt still aren't having family visits

Corrections' chief executive has told a select committee it's about safety, because they have 330 officer vacancies countrywide.

Jeremy Lightfoot says they have been focused on ensuring they have the numbers to provide critical services.

He says a good indication of progress has been reopening visits across prisons -- but Rimutaka is the one site where visits aren't operating.

Lightfoot says it's the result of having to prioritise staff safety, and a safe site overall.