The Northern Ireland Prison Service is to release a number of prisoners in order to relieve pressure on the justice system.
Members of the Justice Committee were briefed on Monday about plans to give early release to inmates from Maghaberry and Magilligan prison and Hydebank Wood detention centre.
But officials told members of the committee that only those prisoners who would have previously qualified for early release will be eligible to be freed.
Prisoners convicted of terrorist offences, sex offences or domestic violence will not qualify for release under the emergency legislation.
SDLP Justice spokesperson Patsy McGlone said: "It’s important that we do all we can to prevent the transmission of coronavirus to vulnerable people. That includes almost 1,600 people currently detained in our prison service".
Mr McGlone said the release scheme "would see some prisoners leave custody early, on the basis that they do not pose a threat to the public or to themselves".
"It’s important, however, given that a significant proportion of those serving custodial sentences suffer from mental health and addiction challenges that we have robust support plans in place for anyone considered for release", he added.
"We cannot seek to protect them from coronavirus while putting them at risk of harm.
"I am pleased that the Justice Minister agrees on the need for this to be a key consideration in any release decision".
In the South over 200 prisoners have so far been released in order to free up space to allow social distancing within previously overcrowded prisons.
