By Chris Thompson
Former athlete, Oscar Pistorius has been released from the Correctional facility in South Africa after nine years in jail.
CONVERSEER learned that Pistorius, popularly referred to as the “Blade Runner” was released on Friday on the condition that he is a changed person.
According to the media release from the South African Department of Correctional Services, the sprinter’s release will be effective from 5th January 2024.
“The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) confirms parole placement for Mr Oscar Leonard Cari Pistorius, effective from 5 January 2024.
“The parole placement decision was taken by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB), having assessed Mr Pistorius’ profile and other material submitted for the purposes of parole consideration.
“Classified as a first-time offender with a positive support system, Oscar Pistorius’ parole placement is in line with Section 73 of the Correctional Services Act.
“Mr Pistorius will complete the remainder of the sentence in the system of community corrections and will be subjected to supervision in compliance with parole conditions until his sentence expires,” the statement read in part.
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Mr Pistorius was initially convicted of culpable homicide in 2014 but the case went through a number of appeals and was eventually ratified to 13 years and five months in 2017.
He was convicted for murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp on 14th February 2013 using a Taurus PT 917 CS 9mm semi-automatic pistol.
Pistorius’s last social media post came on 11th August 2014 at 09:41 AM which stated thus: “Take the time today to at least once, Thank, to Show Love, to Bless, to Breath, to Forgive, to Be Still and to Care.”
Parole placement forms part of the total rehabilitation programme in correcting offending behaviour and may include the continuation of programmes aimed at reintegration whilst in the system of community corrections.