$17m help former NSW prisoners

The NSW government is investing $17 million to help newly-released prisoners find a job and stay drug and alcohol free.

Attorney-General Brad Hazzard said on Thursday the money would go towards giving more support to offenders who are most at risk of finding themselves back in prison by giving them drug and alcohol counselling and by helping them find a job.

It will also link them with mental health assistance and accommodation services.

The program will focus on the first three months of an offender's release.

Mr Hazzard said it was crucial to support offenders soon after they are released, as NSW statistics show an offender is 2.5 times more likely to return to prison in the first three months of release, compared to 9 to 12 months down the track.