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If his parole hearing is successful, Oscar Pistorius could be released from prison as soon as this weekend. Will his newfound “liberty” be a victory for the man who murdered his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp a decade ago, or just another sentence?
On Friday, March 31, Pistorius will appear before a parole board. However, given the gravity of his crime, his parole conditions are likely to be severe.
Oscar Pistorius will be eligible for parole in March 2023, according to the Atteridge prison, where he spent the majority of his sentence.
On Valentine’s Day in 2013, the former athlete shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide in December 2015 and sentenced to six years in prison.
However, his charge was changed to murder, and his jail term increased to 13 years following an unsuccessful appeal in November 2017.
According to South African law, offenders become eligible for parole after serving half their sentence. The parole hearing does not necessarily mean the offender will be granted an early release. It does mean that the offender will be considered.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Under SA law, all offenders granted parole must comply with conditions set by the Correctional Supervision Parole Board (CSPB).
The Correctional Services Act describes parole as the opportunity for offenders to complete the remainder of their sentence outside of prison following a rehabilitation programme preparing them to be integrated into the community.
The Act emphasises that parole is not a right but a privilege.
Common parole conditions include;
- Having a fixed address and reporting to a parole officer or police station
- Having travel limited and being subjected to a curfew
- Being subjected to random drug and alcohol tests
- Prohibited from owning a dangerous weapon
- Prohibited from reoffending in any way
According to University of Pretoria criminologist; Professor Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Oscar could face stricter rules from the parole board, given his history and offence.
He told Netwerk24: “They could go as far as to say he is not allowed to licensed place that sells alcohol. That’s how strict they can be”.
According to Oscar’s uncle Arnold Pistorius – at whose home he will stay in upon release – the former Paralympian will be under stringent supervision for the first six months.
He told the publication: “Every movement they are going to watch, what time he has to be in….there are many. But we will follow the rules very carefully”.
WHAT HAPPENS IF PISTORIUS BREACHES PAROLE?
According to the CSPB, should offenders break any rules, their parole will likely be revoked.
Offenders will then be returned to prison to continue their sentence behind bars. Should an offender commit a crime while on parole, they will be charged, and their new offence be listed under their record.