The Department of Corrections is reporting improvements in re-offending rates of prisoners and those on community sentences.
It has briefed Parliament's Law and Order select committee on programmes it runs such as alcohol and drug treatment, literacy and numeracy and employment training.
A short motivational programme resulted in 16.6% fewer re-imprisonments and 21% fewer re-convictions of those doing community sentences.
The Department says improvements being made include moving prisoners with high needs towards having one service that monitors their progress after they are released.
