The move to new technology through the use of tablets has seen inmates able to connect with family overseas or in other states, reunite with pets, and even allowed one inmate to virtually attend his daughter's wedding.

Snowy Valleys' Mannus Correctional Centre is among the state's 35 centres reaping the benefits of video visits.

A Corrective Services NSW spokeswoman said the switch from face to face visits was adopted well by staff and inmates.

"Mannus Correctional Centre staff have done a fantastic job facilitating family video visits during COVID-19 restrictions," she said.

"Since March, the centre has facilitated 2,861 family video visits."

That figure was an increase on physical visits for the same period last year, where 2,360 in-person visits took place.

Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Peter Severin praised correctional officers and administration staff for utilising the technology.

"The past six months have been a challenging time and our staff have adapted and embraced innovation to ensure inmates can maintain the important and valuable links with their loved ones," he said.

"We know that family connections are vital for an offender's rehabilitation and our staff are committed to reducing reoffending and keeping the community safe."

Prior to COVID-19 visitor restrictions being introduced in March, there were about 4,500 face-to-face visits each week across the state's 35 correctional centres. The number of family video visits each week currently exceeds this.

A survey of 5,000 inmate family and friends in July found that 90 per cent were satisfied with the family video visit experience and 85 per cent want family video visits to continue once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

The survey also found that after seeing their loved one, the best part of a video visit was being able to show the inmate their home or pets, while the third most important aspect was being able to avoid travelling to a correctional centre.

An anonymous respondent said "It was over six years since I saw my brother because of distance and not wanting to take my children to a correctional facility".

"I know his mental health has improved a lot from it, and being able to show him our home made it much more personal," they said.

In some centres, the AVL studios are now operating up to 13 hours a day to cater to the growing number of courts and professional matters and the huge take-up of family visits.

CSNSW will reinstate face-to-face visits when it is safe to do so and is also exploring the option of continuing to use the AVL technology for family video visits.