NSW inmates face new 'terror' rules

Anyone visiting an NSW inmate who is considered to be "a threat to national security" will now undergo a criminal record check.

Mail and phone calls to such inmates will also need to be in English or in a language approved by the Corrective Services NSW Commissioner, and will be opened, read and copied, the NSW government says.

The changes are part of a new National Security Interest (NSI) classification, which has been created to help Corrective Services NSW improve its control and monitoring of prisoner communications with people outside, Minister for Corrections David Elliot said.

The Corrective Services NSW Commissioner can designate an inmate with the classification if he considers there's a risk the inmate could engage in or incite other people to engage in activities that constitute "a serious threat to the peace, order or good government of the state or any other place".

"We are introducing these strong measures to help prevent inmates from coordinating terrorism activities or inciting extremism from inside prison," he said.

"We will not take a backward step when it comes to ensuring community safety."