Pistorius to be released after serving less than a fifth of sentence

After serving only 10 months of his five-year sentence for shooting his girlfriend, Reeve Steenkamp, (in 2013) Oscar Pistorius is likely to be released from jail.

Pistorius is currently being held at Pretoria’s Kgosi Mampuru II prison, where the parole board has decided that the six-time Paralympic gold medallist is ready to be released. He did not apply for early release himself.

Pistorius, who claimed that he had accidentally shot his girlfriend after mistaking her for an intruder, was found guilty of culpable homicide.

The para athlete may find it difficult to resume his track career, as it is unlikely that he will be able to leave South Africa for the first stages of his release. The International Paralympic Committee has already ruled that even if he is able to travel, Pistorius will not be allowed to compete at Rio 2016.

Steenkamp’s parents have stated that they do not feel that 10 months is an adequate punishment.