Inmates convicted of violent crimes will increasingly have to serve their sentences in full, Deputy Justice Minister Fred Teeven has told Dutch daily De Telegraaf on the European Day of Victims.

In future, the Dutch judiciary will to take into consideration the interests of victims before granting convicts early release, the conservative minister said. As a result, inmates will serve longer sentences and start their rehabilitation programmes later.

The deputy minister is keen to do more for victims, a spokesperson said. The national Victim Support organisation will also help victims obtain compensation from perpetrators.

Mr Teeven, a former public prosecutor, says the Dutch criminal justice system remains too focused on the perpetrators.

(cl/imm)

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide