Oscar Moves into Uncle’s Home but his Sentence “has not been shortened”

Oscar Pistorius was released into correctional supervision last night, a day ahead of the schedule announced by the South African Department of Correctional Services last week.

This morning Pistorius family spokesperson, Anneliese Burgess, stressed to gathered media in Pretoria that Oscar’s sentence “has not been shortened” and that he will adhere to strict conditions.

Reading from a family statement, outside the home of Oscar’s uncle, Arnold Pistorius, in Waterkloof, she said: “We were informed that the details of any release are decided upon by the Facility concerned and that was why Oscar was released a couple of hours earlier.

“It’s very important for the family to emphasise that Oscar’s sentence has not been shortened, or reduced. He is simply entering the next phase of his sentence now.”

It will be the one-year anniversary tomorrow since Oscar began his five-year sentence for the killing of his then girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in the early hours of Valentine’s Day 2013.

The remaining four years will be spent at his uncle’s home in Pretoria where he will serve under “strict conditions” that govern correctional supervision. Burgess was unable to give further details on the conditions other than to say “this will become clearer as time proceeds”.

She said: “The family will support Oscar as he serves out the remainder of the five-year sentence handed down by the trial judge, and he will strictly adhere to the conditions set by the Parole Board and Community Corrections.”

When asked how 28-year-old Oscar is doing, Burgess said “Oscar is here and Oscar is at home with the family”.

She reiterated that Oscar has not been released, saying “the family is happy that Oscar is home, but they want to make the point that Oscar’s sentence continues.”

The South African and world media have descended on the family home. Some say the former Paralympic and Olympic athlete, known as the ‘Blade Runner’ in reference to his prosthetic legs, has been tried by the media and will now be held hostage by the media.

Last week his aunt, Lois Pistorius, tweeted: “In real life, it’s a life sentence.”

According to reports, the treatment of Oscar Pistorius is no different to that of many others serving sentences in a country where prisons are overcrowded.

Watch Video: Oscar Pistorius family statement

#OscarPistorius spokeswoman speaks to journalists about his release from prison to house arrest https://t.co/V7IqB00kYM

— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 20, 2015