Former Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius, who has been incarcerated since 2013 for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, is set to be released on parole in January.
Pistorius, 37, was sentenced to 13 years and five months in prison by a South African court in 201
6. The parole board has set his release date for January 5, 2024, according to the South African Department of Correctional Services.
In a statement on Twitter, the Department of Correctional Services said Pistorius will remain under the supervision of authorities until his sentence is complete. The statement added that parole forms part of the overall rehabilitation program and may include continued programs aimed at reintegration into society.
According to the BBC, Pistorius will also be required to attend therapy sessions. Steenkamp's mother, June Steenkamp, said in a letter to the parole board that she did not oppose Pistorius's early release but questioned whether he had adequately addressed his anger issues while in prison.
Steenkamp also expressed concern for the safety of any woman who comes into contact with Pistorius. She did not attend Friday's hearing at Atteridgeville Correctional Facility, stating that she did not have the strength to face Pistorius again at this time.
In 2013, Pistorius fatally shot his girlfriend Reeva multiple times through a closed bathroom door on Valentine's Day. During his trial, Pistorius admitted to shooting Steenkamp but claimed he mistook her for an intruder. Prosecutors argued that he intentionally killed Steenkamp in a fit of rage.
Pistorius was previously denied early release from prison in March 2024 due to not meeting the minimum detention period. However, the South African Constitutional Court overturned this decision, leading to Friday's hearing.
Comments
Post a Comment