Oscar Pistorius to be released on parole in January

South African former Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, who has been in prison for approximately 11 years for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, is preparing to be released on parole.

In a statement from the South African Department of Correctional Services, it was announced that 37-year-old Pistorius will be released on parole on January 5, 2024.

Pistorius will continue to remain under supervision for the remainder of his finalized 13-year and 5-month prison sentence.

According to a statement from the spokesperson for the Steenkamp family, Oscar Pistorius will also attend therapy sessions following his release.

Pistorius, the first Paralympic athlete to compete in the Olympics, was initially sentenced to 6 years in prison for "culpable homicide" after killing his girlfriend Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria on February 14, 2013. The National Prosecuting Authority described the sentence as "shockingly light" and appealed the decision to the Supreme Court of Appeal. The Supreme Court of Appeal, the final court of appeal, upgraded the conviction to murder and increased Pistorius's sentence to 15 years, but ruled that he should serve 13 years and 5 months in prison, taking into account the time he had already spent in custody. The South African former athlete's application to the Constitutional Court, arguing that the Supreme Court of Appeal's decision was unfair, was also rejected.