A man on parole used a fake penis in an effort to give authorities a clean urine sample, an Adelaide court has heard.

After a series of bank robberies in Adelaide's eastern suburbs more than a decade ago James William Randall-Smith, 30, was sentenced to 16 years in jail, with half that as a non-parole term.

He was released on parole in 2014 but it later was cancelled due to a number of breaches.

District Court Judge Paul Cuthbertson said the breaches had included numerous positive drug tests, including for amphetamines.

"On 2 March 2016, he attended for a drug test but was discovered attempting to falsify the test by the use of a false penis," Judge Cuthbertson said.

"The parole board found various breaches proved, and cancelled his parole and he became liable to serve the balance of the sentence."

Judge Cuthbertson has set a new non-parole term of 14 months, back-dated to March last year when Randall-Smith was taken back into custody.

Randall-Smith and an accomplice were dubbed the "overall bandits" at the time of their crimes because they wore distinctive overalls and balaclavas when, armed with shotguns and sledgehammers, they committed robberies which netted them more than $100,000.

Both men pleaded guilty to charges over a string of bank robberies.

Judge Cuthbertson said Randall-Smith would need support when eventually released from jail.

"The [parole] board has pointed out that the offender has a good and supportive family and friends but is a high-risk offender with a serious violent history and is an individual who has failed to take the opportunities given him on parole," he said.

"His parents continue to be supportive of him. He has not displayed antisocial behaviour since his release on parole. He will need support in returning to the community."