Law Society of NSW President Pauline Wright has called for an increase in diversionary programs to help reduce record prison numbers.

A 13 per cent increase in prisoners to 12,995 in the past two years (Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research) has been largely attributable to a rise in the number people on remand. 

Ms Wright said the latest BOCSAR statistics showed the rate of Indigenous people on remand (11.4 per cent) had grown at more than double the rate of the average remand population (6.3 per cent) over the past 12 months to March 2017.

This reflected broader figures which show that Indigenous people make up 24 per cent of the NSW adult prison population, Ms Wright said.

"While we are pleased the number of juveniles in custody is continuing its downward trend, we continue to be concerned at the overrepresentation of Indigenous youth in juvenile detention," she said.

According to the statistics, Indigenous youth, aged between 10 years to 17 years represent more than half (52 per cent) the number of juveniles in full-time detention in NSW as at the end of March 2017, Ms Wright said.

"It is unacceptable that some of the most disadvantaged people in our community are also facing the hardest battle with our justice system," she said. "Indigenous offenders face higher rates of arrest resulting in conviction, a greater likelihood of imprisonment given conviction and a higher rate of bail refusal." 

Ms Wright said more resources for diversionary programs and investment in early intervention were needed particularly in regional areas to improve the prospects of offender rehabilitation, reduce recidivism and therefore the cost of the prison system to taxpayers.

"This includes more drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres and additional resources to allow more use of community service orders, Intensive Correction Orders and home detention throughout the State," Ms Wright said.

"Reform of the driver licence offences system was also needed, as existing licence sanctions for unauthorised driving have had a significantly disproportionate effect on disadvantaged and vulnerable young people, particularly within the Indigenous community."