South African former professional sprinter and convicted murderer, Oscar Pistorius, is set to be released on parole almost 11 years after the tragic shooting of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine’s Day 2013.
The parole board, reviewing Pistorius’s readiness for social reintegration, decided in November to grant his early release on January 5.
Pistorius, 37, will face strict parole conditions, including a ban on consuming alcohol and engaging with the media.
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The Department of Correctional Services emphasized that his elevated public profile does not warrant special treatment, stating, “For example, he will be expected to be home at particular hours of the day. He may not consume alcohol or other prohibited substances.”
According to South African law, offenders can be considered for parole once half of their sentence has been served.
Pistorius, found guilty of murder in 2017 and sentenced to 13 years and five months, will undergo therapy for anger and gender-based violence issues until the end of his sentence in 2029.
Reeva Steenkamp’s mother has expressed skepticism about Pistorius’s rehabilitation, stating her doubts about his truthfulness regarding the events leading to the fatal shooting.
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In November, the Department of Correctional Services announced that Pistorius would complete the remainder of his sentence in the community corrections system, supervised by the DCS and subjected to parole conditions.
As part of the parole terms, Pistorius will be assigned a monitoring official, keeping track of his job opportunities and residence changes.
Additionally, he is required to attend gender-based violence programs and continue anger management therapy sessions.
Despite his controversial release, Pistorius is expected to reside in Pretoria as he navigates the challenging path of social reintegration.
