Oscar Pistorius, a South African Paralympic athlete known as the “Blade Runner,” may soon be released on parole[1][2]. Pistorius is currently in prison for murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in 2013[3]. The parole board met on March 29, 2023, to decide whether Pistorius should be released[2]. If granted parole, he could leave prison within weeks, halfway through his 13-year sentence[8].
Pistorius gained global fame as a double-amputee Olympic sprinter, competing with carbon-fiber prosthetics[4]. He was found guilty of killing Steenkamp after shooting her multiple times through the bathroom door in his home[5]. Pistorius was sentenced to 13 years in prison[6].
As part of the parole process, Pistorius may meet with Steenkamp’s parents[1]. The parole board seeks to determine if Pistorius’s remorse is genuine[5]. Offenders in South Africa typically serve half of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole[6]. Pistorius applied for parole and attended the hearing on Friday, March 30, 2023[9]. The outcome of the parole hearing will determine if Pistorius can be released from prison after serving 10 years of his sentence[10].