Oscar Pistorius: Parole conditions could damper holiday fun
No booze, guns or nights out! Oscar Pistorius faces changes after parole that could be a polar opposite from his lifestyle before.
Oscar Pistorius could be released home from jail in time for the festive season if his parole hearing goes according to plan on Friday, 24 November.
But for the former Paralympian – who murdered girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp a decade ago – there will be no more boozing, partying, or jet setting if stricter conditions are implemented.
Pistorius is also unlikely to have access to any more firearms, something which he had a growing collection of before his imprisonment.
ALSO READ: Last birthday behind bars? Oscar Pistorius turns 37 days before likely parole release
OSCAR PISTORIUS’ DATE WITH PAROLE BOARD
On Friday, 24 November, Oscar Pistorius will face a board of experts to determine his prison release.
Last month, the Constitutional Court ruled that the 37-year-old had been eligible for parole since March 2023. This, after serving half his sentence for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on 14 February 2013.
ALSO READ: Home by weekend? Oscar Pistorius stands ‘good chance’ of parole
According to Oscar’s lawyer Conrad Dormehl, the former gold-medallist stood a “good chance” of being granted an early release.
MUST READ: MaXhosa Africa heads to the Big Apple!
He told TimesLive: “We are obviously glad it’s come to the fore and happy we have a date for parole consideration.”
Pistorius will also not receive any objections from the family of Reeva Steenkamp, who claimed that they would not oppose his parole bid.
ALSO READ: Prison to a palace: Is this the mansion Oscar Pistorius will live in?
PAROLE RULES AND REGULATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA
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.
ALSO READ: ‘June is still in mourning’: Reeva family advocate reacts to Oscar Pistorius news
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 Cape Town law professor Kelly Phelps, Oscar could face stricter rules from the parole board, given his history and offence.
ALSO READ: Oscar Pistorius parole ruling: What will happen next?
She told EWN: “It’s very common to have things like alcohol restrictions, restrictions on your ability to own firearms… and to require participation in counselling”.
Pistorius could even be granted day parole, where the offender returns to prison at night.
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.
ALSO READ: ‘Not opposing’: Reeva’s parents on Oscar Pistorius’s new parole bid