Fewer NSW prisoners offending on parole

NSW's crime statistics director is convinced the state's parole system is working, with a study showing parolees are less likely to re-offend than previously thought.

The study of 10,000 offenders on parole found just over a quarter - 28.4 per cent - re-committed crimes within two years of their release, down from projections in previous years of more than 60 per cent.

Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research director Don Weatherburn attributed those past figures in part to a lack of distinction between past and present parolees and those currently being supervised.

He noted that violent re-offenders were fewer than had been estimated, counting for only 7.1 per cent of the report's offenders.

The most likely crimes committed on parole were drug possession, handling crime proceeds and driving while disqualified.

"A lot of people have had doubts about the value of the parole system and can now see with this proper comparison that it does reduce the risk of re-offending," said Dr Weatherburn.

"There's no question that releasing somebody on parole is a lot smarter than simply letting them come out of custody cold-turkey."