The Police Association of NSW says they have told officers to stop transferring prisoners to jail from 7 July.

The union's president Kevin Morton said that police in regional stations are being tied up transferring prisoners hundreds of kilometres to and from prison.

He said Corrective Services should be responsible for custody and transfer once a prisoner is refused bail.

“Once they wear green, police will not be seen,” Mr Morton said.

“This will free up our police to focus on police work and protecting our communities, not performing the duties of other agencies.

“For too many years, police have picked up the slack when it comes to prisoner management.”

Walgett Court House. IMAGE: River McCrossen

In a press release, the PANSW said their executive has also directed police to stop attending court to guard bail-refused prisoners.

They also directed officers to not allow prisoners from Corrective Services or Juvenile Justice into police custody facilities.

However, they will still allow those services to use police cells if the prisoner remains in the custody of Corrective Services staff.

Minister for Police Yasmin Catley said Acting Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell is meeting with the NSW Corrections Minister Anoulack Chanthivong to discuss a resolution.

"Community safety is the top priority for this Government and the NSW Police," Minister Catley said.

"Developing a plan to ensure all agencies involved in prisoner transport keep the community safe while performing a difficult and demanding task is a priority for both Commissioners."

Barwon MP Roy Bulter said "something's got to give" and that Corrective Services and Juvenile Justice will need to provide more resources for transport.

"They're going to need to put on more people and more vehicles, essentially, to be able to meet the demand," Mr Butler said.

"If that means they've got to seek additional funds from the government, then they'll have to.

"I think police have been pretty patient."

Shadow Police Minister Paul Toole backed the move and accused the government of failing to sufficiently resource Corrective Services. 

“Regional police are being pulled from frontline duties to drive prisoners hundreds of kilometres, often sleeping overnight in stations and leaving entire communities without police coverage," Mr Toole said.