Convicted rapists, armed robbers and drug addicts will soon be allowed out of NSW jails to take fishing trips and visit shopping centres under a day release mentoring program.

Inmates who "demonstrate impulsive and pro-criminal thinking" will be eligible for the program once they are within a year of their scheduled release, The Daily Telegraph reports.

The violent offenders, some of whom will come from Silverwater and Long Bay jail, will be monitored by volunteers, not prison guards.

They will be allowed to travel on public transport to social activities, including picnics.

A minimum of 40 inmates will be allowed out annually.

Opposition Corrective Services spokesman Guy Zangari last night attacked the plan.

"The community has every right to expect that when a criminal is out on day release they’re being supervised by prison officers, not well-meaning volunteers," he said.

Corrective Services Minister David Elliott said a similar scheme had been in place "for decades and the only difference here is the use of volunteers".