The Government has been told that planned parole reforms could lead to big increases in the prison population.
The 2007 Parole Amendment Act would ensure serious offenders were not eligible for parole until they had served at least two-thirds of their sentence.
Ministerial briefing papers say that if the reforms are implemented without any changes made to sentencing, there will be substantial increases in the prison population.
Corrections Minister Judith Collins says the Government will be following through with the Act. Ms Collin says checks and balances will be put in place to ensure there are not any sharp increases in prison numbers.
