Around 430 people are currently in correctional facilities due to offences relating to the 2019 protests or national security, the security minister has revealed.

The latest figure was announced on Tuesday during a Legislative Council panel, where Chris Tang pointed to a programme addressing the rehabilitation needs of "radical individuals involved in serious offences".

Citing the first person convicted under the National Security Law, Tong Ying-kit, as an example, the secretary for security told lawmakers that the offender had "changed his mindset completely" after taking part in the programme.

The initiative focuses on three directions – understanding Chinese history and strengthening national education; psychological reconstruction and re-establishment of values; and life planning and rebuilding of family relationships.

Lawmakers Chan Pui-leung and Johnny Ng expressed the hope for the government to discuss with regulatory bodies to allow offenders with professional qualifications to continue to practise upon their release.

The minister, in response, said the authorities have been in close communication with professional bodies to help them make a "more accurate judgement".

"It's up to the professional bodies to decide... whether they can allow the individuals to continue to practise," Tang said. "But we are very willing to provide data [to these bodies]."

He added that the government has signed agreements with the city's eight publicly-funded universities to allow those in correctional institutions to earn credits during their studies, which could be used to continue their higher education after being released.