Last birthday behind bars? Oscar Pistorius turns 37 days before likely parole release

Oscar Pistorius is celebrating his 37th birthday behind bars, likely his last.  This comes days before the former athlete – convicted of killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp a decade ago – is likely to be granted parole in his hearing on Friday, 24 November.

The 36-year-old former Paralympian will face a board of experts, who will determine if he will be granted an early release from prison.

Last month, the Constitutional Court ruled that Oscar 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

OSCAR PISTORIUS TURNS 37

On Wednesday, 22 November, social media users wished Oscar Pistorius a happy 37th birthday. The former gold-medal-winning sprinter is currently imprisoned at the Atteridgeville Correctional Centre in Pretoria.

Pistorius has spent more than half of his 13-year and five-month murder sentence behind bars after he shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on 14 February 2013.

And for many well-wishers, they’re hoping it will be his last birthday celebration imprisoned and his first upcoming Christmas with his family and friends since the incident, if his parole hearing goes to plan on Friday.

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Birthday blessings @OscarPistorius May you soon be home where you deserve to be 💙 pic.twitter.com/cuFJBoO3gb

— Heather Malcherczyk💙 (@HeatherMalch) November 22, 2023

FIRST AND LAST BIRTHDAY WITH REEVA STEENKAMP

Oscar Pistorius’s birthday celebrations are worlds apart from how he likely spent his day more than a decade ago, with his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

In November 2012, the flashy athlete began dating the blonde model, after being introduced to her through their mutual friend Justin Devaris.

ALSO READ: ‘June is still in mourning’: Reeva family advocate reacts to Oscar Pistorius news

Just months earlier, Oscar become the first double-leg amputee to participate in the non-disabled Summer Olympics in London. According to USA Today, Oscar was chosen to carry the South African flag for the closing ceremony.

Fast forward to Valentine’s Day, February 2013, and the world woke up to the news that Oscar shot and killed Reeva after mistaking her for an intruder.

WILL HE BE GRANTED PAROLE ON FRIDAY?

According to TimesLive, Oscar Pistorius’s lawyer, Conrad Dormehl, confirmed that he would await his fate in front of a parole board on Friday.

He said: “We are obviously glad it’s come to the fore and happy we have a date for parole consideration.”

Dormehl added that Pistorius stood a “good chance” of being granted an early release.

A month ago, the Constitutional Court confirmed Oscar Pistorius’s claims that he has been eligible for parole since March 2023.

The announcement was made via the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).

ALSO READ: Oscar Pistorius parole ruling: What will happen next?

Pistorius approached the highest court in South Africa after he was denied parole earlier this year. This, despite him serving half of his 13-year and five-month murder sentence.

While Oscar’s family are hoping to have him home as soon as possible, it’s unclear if that will happen. According to Dormehl, several factors could affect how soon he is released.

He continued: “The parole board takes into account what we call business reports, submissions that a person entitled to parole makes and those made by the victims, as well as other information. Once they have all of that together, then they decide on granting parole.

ALSO READ: ‘Not opposing’: Reeva’s parents on Oscar Pistorius’s new parole bid

“The second consideration is the conditions attached to it, assuming it’s granted, such as the date of release and other corrective measures.”