Under Labor's plan, it would ensure appropriate penalties are enforced if officers are assaulted on duty.

Officers would also be given better compensation entitlements under the party's wider review into workers' compensation.

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Mr Riley said it was an excellent plan, particularly for the Bathurst electorate, where there are multiple prisons in operation. 

"This is going to be keeping prison officers' compensation entitlements in line with other emergency services - police, paramedics and fire," he said.

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Mr Riley said he found it "very strange" that corrections officers weren't already classed as emergency services personnel and given the same level of protection.

"They do do a job that no one else wants to do and they do it well," he said. 

"These prison officers are doing a very highly-skilled job of keeping the community safe. They are in with hardened, violent criminals and are also taking care of, ultimately, people who have made mistakes.

"To be able to juggle the complex issues between going from violent offender to someone who requires assistance, that's a tricky job."

Mr Riley said their safety had to be made a priority and it would be under Labor. 

"When you're talking about the protection of prison officers it is most important, because it's life and death," he said.

"We need to keep those who keep us safe, safe."