The NSW government is preparing for the early release of some of the state's 13,000 prisoners in response to the coronavirus pandemic, among a raft of emergency changes to the justice system.

Laws rushed through State Parliament on Tuesday allow the state's Corrective Services Commissioner Peter Severin to make orders permitting prisoners to be released early on parole. The commissioner will need to be satisfied it is "reasonably necessary" because of the risk the COVID-19 pandemic poses to public health or to the good order and security of prisons.

The emergency legislation would allow for the early release of some of the state's prisoners. Credit:Andrew Meares

The prisoner must belong to a particular "class of inmates" prescribed by regulations, and the class may be defined by reference to factors such as age, health or vulnerability, or type of offence.

Some prisoners will be ineligible for early release, including those serving a life sentence or any sentence for murder, a serious sex offence or a terrorism offence.