Welfare and community justice groups have warned that cuts to education services in NSW jails will reduce future employment opportunities for prisoners and increase their rate of reoffending.

The Corrective Services Teachers' Association says there is at least one teacher vacancy at many of the state's correctional facilities.

Former attorney general John Dowd, QC, who is president of the Community Justice Coalition, said education in prisons is vital to creating employment opportunities, encouraging rehabilitation and reducing recidivism, but is being neglected.

"Without education in the prison system, rehabilitation is even more difficult," Mr Dowd said.

Prison education officers have reported TAFE course hours being cut. Changes under the Baird government have also meant that prisoners are no longer eligible for concession rates for TAFE courses.