Former South African Paralympian star Oscar Pistorius has been granted parole nearly 11 years after being convicted of shooting his girlfriend through a locked bathroom door.
The country’s parole board’s decision comes with stringent conditions as Pistorius is set to be released from prison on Friday, January 5, 2024.
Whilst Reeva Steenkamp’s mum, June, is "concerned for the safety of any woman" ahead of Oscar Pistorius’ release this week, ‘journalist’ friend of Oscar, Mark Williams-Thomas, is more concerned about painting the murderer as man who ‘has lost everything’ ⬇️https://t.co/UGDqQOGKku pic.twitter.com/PyILor39uk
— David Challen (@David_Challen) January 3, 2024Under the terms of his parole, Pistorius will be closely monitored by authorities until the expiration of his sentence.
The conditions include mandatory notifications to his parole officer for any changes in residence or employment. Additionally, therapy sessions will be a compulsory part of his reintegration into society.
Pistorius’s release follows his participation in a restorative justice program, which involves a victim-offender dialogue.
Notably, the decision received the endorsement of his dead girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp’s family, who expressed support for Pistorius’s parole.
Parole conditions
The restorative justice program likely played a crucial role in fostering understanding and reconciliation between Pistorius and the victim’s loved ones.
While the parole decision has stirred varied reactions, it underscores the legal system’s emphasis on rehabilitation and the potential for redemption.
Oscar Pistorius is a murderer and he belongs behind bars to serve his full sentence. Justice was never served! He never took account and spoke the truth! pic.twitter.com/GnCyZuH6fK
— Women For Change (@womenforchange5) January 2, 2024Once an acclaimed athlete known as the “Blade Runner,” Pistorius faced a high-profile trial that captivated the world’s attention. His conviction in 2014 for Steenkamp’s murder marked a tragic chapter in both their lives.
As the world awaits Pistorius’s release, questions linger about the complexities of justice, rehabilitation, and the lasting impact of his actions on those affected.
The conditions set for his parole aim not only to ensure public safety but also to facilitate his reintegration into society with a focus on personal growth and accountability.
Oscar Pistorius’s journey from the heights of athletic achievement to the confines of a prison cell has been marked by controversy and tragedy.
#OscarPistorius Support for Oscar Pistorius outside court in Pretoria #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/ojaoE4PNzm
— Chriselda Zozi Lewis (Babes Wendaba) (@Chriseldalewis) April 18, 2016His release brings a renewed spotlight on the intricacies of the criminal justice system and the potential for redemption in the aftermath of a high-profile crime.
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Pistorius’ fall from grace
2012 – London Olympics
Pistorius becomes the first double amputee to compete in the Olympic Games, running in the individual 400 meters and the 4×400 meters relay at the London Olympics.
2013 – Arrest and Trial
On February 14, Oscar Pistorius shoots and kills his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, at his home in Pretoria, South Africa. Pistorius claims it was a tragic accident, mistaking Steenkamp for an intruder. He is arrested and charged with murder.
2014 – Trial and Conviction
The trial began in March 2014, attracting widespread media attention. In September 2014, Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide (later upgraded to murder) but was acquitted of premeditated murder. He is sentenced to five years in prison.
2015 – House Arrest
Pistorius was released into house arrest after serving about one year in prison in October 2015. His sentence was later increased to six years in July 2016 upon appeal.
2017 – Increased Sentence
In November 2017, the Supreme Court of Appeal in South Africa increased Pistorius’s sentence to 13 years and five months, citing that the initial sentence was shockingly lenient.
2018 – Prison Transfer
Oscar Pistorius was transferred to Atteridgeville Correctional Centre, a maximum-security prison in Pretoria, in July 2018.
2023 – Parole Granted
Pistorius is granted parole. He is set to be released from prison on January 5, 2024, with strict conditions and monitoring until the expiration of his sentence.
