Convicted rapists and other serious sex offenders should always be given prison terms, justice minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin is set to tell judges, the Telegraaf reports on Tuesday.

The minister’s interference follows the case of an ex-policeman who was given 200 hours community service for abusing a 14-year-old girl last week.
Judges did not jail him, arguing he had lost his job and because police officers have a hard time in prison. The sentence was in line with the public prosecution department demand.
Hirsch Ballin said he will make it clear to prosecutors that community service is not appropriate for sex crimes.