There had been fears that The Bridges, a Hull treatment unit for ex-prisoners with alcohol or chemical dependency, would close because of a funding crisis.

But now the centre has said it will admit offenders who have begun any substance treatment programme in prison, instead of only those mirroring the course it runs in Abbey Street.

Geoff Ogden, director of the High Sheriffs' and Humberside Police Tribune Trust, which works with The Bridges, said he was confident the centre had been saved.

He said: "More ex-offenders will be referred there as there has been a relaxation of the entry requirements. Before long it will be up to 14-bed capacity."

The change of policy was one of several outcomes of a seminar last week organised by the trust to tackle re-offending rates.

In particular, commitments were given by the business community, councils, and local strategic partnerships to do more to house and employ rehabilitated former prisoners.

Mr Ogden said crime needed to be investigated vigorously and offenders prosecuted – rehabilitation came afterwards

The Bridges, run by the Rehabilitation of Addicted Prisoners Trust, is the only facility of its kind in the country working with ex-prisoners, and is statistically successful.

Nationally, 57 per cent of recorded crime is committed by people recently released from prison. Only 25 per cent of former prisoners who complete the course at The Bridges re-offend within two years.