Thursday 22 October 2015

Athletics:Oscar Pistorius released from prison on house arrest


Oscar Pistorius has been released from prison and will now be kept under house arrest.

The former paralympian has served one year of a five-year sentence for the manslaughter of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day, 2013.

It is understood he will serve the remainder of his sentence at his uncle's house in Pretoria.

Pistorius was found guilty in September 2014 of culpable homicide, the equivalent of manslaughter, after killing Steenkamp by shooting her through a locked toilet door. Pistorius claimed he thought she was an intruder.

Manelisi Wolela, a spokesman for South Africa's correctional services department, sent out a statement on Monday which read: "Oscar Pistorius was placed under correctional supervision tonight.

"The handling of the actual placement is an operational matter of the local management, and how they handle it is their prerogative that is carried out in the best interest of all parties concerned, the victims, the offender and the Department of Correction Services."

Pistorius was released a few hours earlier than expected and a family statement released on Tuesday morning read: "Oscar was released into correctional supervision last night. The family had been expecting his release today.

"They were however informed that the details of any release are decided on by the facility concerned, and this led to Oscar being released a few hours earlier.

"It is important for the family that it be emphasised that Oscar's sentence has not been shortened or reduced. He now enters the next phase of his sentence. He will serve this under the strict conditions that govern correctional supervision.

"The family will support Oscar as he serves out the remainder of the 5-year sentence handed down by the trial judge. He will strictly adhere to the conditions set by the Parole Board and Community Corrections."

Under South African law, an offender sentenced to five years or less in jail can be released after serving one-sixth of the term which, in Pistorius' case, is 10 months.

Pistorius was acquitted of murder but prosecutors have appealed that decision. The appeal will be heard at South Africa's Supreme Court on November 3.

If Pistorius is convicted of murder by a panel of five judges at the appeal, he faces going back to prison for 15 years, the minimum sentence for murder in South Africa.

While under house arrest, Pistorius will have to live under certain conditions until his sentence ends on October 20, 2019.

Pistorius will have to continue receiving psychotherapy and cannot handle any firearms. Wolela said Pistorius would not be required to wear an electronic tagging device.

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