More beds for NSW's bulging prisons

More beds are being added to NSW jails to tackle the state's bulging prison population.

An additional 400 beds will be added to the new Grafton prison in northern NSW taking the total to at least 1000 beds, while 250 more beds will be installed at the Parklea Correctional Centre in Sydney's west, taking the total to 650 new beds.

The expansion brings the total number of new beds in NSW jails to around 1700, Minister for Corrections David Elliott said on Monday.

Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis said the new prison at Grafton will also mean 250 jobs for locals.

Statistics released last month show NSW prison numbers jumped 17 per cent in the past two years, reaching more than 12,000 inmates.

Almost a third of those are being held on remand without a conviction.