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Pistorius released from prison to finish sentence under house arrest Oscar Pistorius released from prison to finish sentence under house arrest
(35 minutes later)
Oscar Pistorius has been released from prison to serve the remainder of his sentence under correctional supervision at his uncle’s house, less than a year into a five-year sentence for shooting dead his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Oscar Pistorius has been released from prison and will serve the remainder of his sentence under correctional supervision at his uncle’s house, less than one year into a five-year sentence for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Pistorius’s family had been expecting his release on Tuesday morning, but late on Monday night his lawyer told NBC News that the former Paralympian was already at his uncle’s house. The management of Kgosi Mampuru II prison confirmed in a message to the Citizen newspaper that Pistorius was “under correctional supervision”.Pistorius’s family had been expecting his release on Tuesday morning, but late on Monday night his lawyer told NBC News that the former Paralympian was already at his uncle’s house. The management of Kgosi Mampuru II prison confirmed in a message to the Citizen newspaper that Pistorius was “under correctional supervision”.
Pistorius was transferred from his cell in the prison to the headquarters of the Department of Correctional Services in the Poyntons building in central Pretoria, where he was processed. From there, he was taken to Arnold Pistorius’s house in Waterkloof, an upmarket Pretoria suburb. Pistorius is likely to be considerably more comfortable there than in prison: the house is a three-storey converted Dutch Reformed church on a luxury estate and has a swimming pool. Pistorius was taken from his cell to the residence of his uncle, Arnold Pistorius, in Waterkloof, an upmarket Pretoria suburb. The house is a three-storey converted Dutch Reformed church on a luxury estate, and has a swimming pool.
Correctional services minister Michael Masutha earlier told local broadcaster eNCA that the terms of Pistorius’s release included a requirement to meet with Steenkamp’s parents, if and when they agree to such a meeting. “It is especially the person who is the source of your pain, who making peace with is likely to bring the greatest healing,” said Masutha. Pistorius will also have to perform community service and attend regular psychotherapy sessions. Correctional services minister Michael Masutha had told local broadcaster eNCA that the terms of Pistorius’s release included a requirement to meet with Steenkamp’s parents, if and when they agree to such a meeting. “It is especially the person who is the source of your pain, who making peace with is likely to bring the greatest healing,” said Masutha. Pistorius will also have to undertake community service and attend regular psychotherapy sessions.
According to eNCA journalist Karyn Maughan, lawyers for the Steenkamp family indicated that they were willing to meet with Pistorius, but only “at the right time” and out of the public eye. According to eNCA journalist Karyn Maughan, lawyers for the Steenkamp family indicated that they were willing to meet with Pistorius, but only “at the right time” and away from the public eye.
In June, a parole board told Pistorius he would be released on 20 August, only for this decision to be suspended by the government following public outcry. A judicial review panel subsequently overturned it on a technicality. Pistorius was granted a second parole hearing last week, which set the 20 October release date. As well as remaining under house arrest, Pistorius will have to adhere to strict parole conditions including psychotherapy and community service. In June, a parole board told Pistorius he would be released on 20 August, only for this decision to be suspended by the government following public outcry. A judicial review panel subsequently overturned it on a technicality. Pistorius was granted a second parole hearing last week, which set the 20 October release date.
Pistorius’s family had been concerned that his parole might be cut short by further legal action. The prosecution team has challenged Judge Thokozile Masipa’s original verdict, and the supreme court of appeals will hear that appeal on 3 November. Prosecutors argue that Pistorius should have been convicted of murder rather than culpable homicide. Murder carries a minimum sentence of 15 years.Pistorius’s family had been concerned that his parole might be cut short by further legal action. The prosecution team has challenged Judge Thokozile Masipa’s original verdict, and the supreme court of appeals will hear that appeal on 3 November. Prosecutors argue that Pistorius should have been convicted of murder rather than culpable homicide. Murder carries a minimum sentence of 15 years.
Pistorius’s early release from prison has been criticised by women’s groups in South Africa, including the ANC Women’s League, who said they were “disappointed” by the decision. “We pin our hopes on the SCA to repeal the judgment and that Oscar must serve a sentence that would bring him back a changed man and an advocate for women’s rights in future,” it said in a statement.Pistorius’s early release from prison has been criticised by women’s groups in South Africa, including the ANC Women’s League, who said they were “disappointed” by the decision. “We pin our hopes on the SCA to repeal the judgment and that Oscar must serve a sentence that would bring him back a changed man and an advocate for women’s rights in future,” it said in a statement.