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SERVING TIME

Is Oscar Pistorius still in jail and when is his release date?

OSCAR Pistorius was found guilty in 2015 of shooting his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp dead on Valentine’s Day, 2013.

He was initially found guilty of “culpable homicide” but South Africa’s Supreme Court later overturned that ruling and found him guilty of murder.

Oscar Pistorius was initially found guilty of 'culpable homicide' but that verdict was later changed to murder by South Africa's Supreme Court
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Oscar Pistorius was initially found guilty of 'culpable homicide' but that verdict was later changed to murder by South Africa's Supreme CourtCredit: AP:Associated Press

Where is Oscar Pistorius now?

Oscar Pistorius is being held at the Atteridgeville Correctional Centre in Pretoria, South Africa, for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp.

When he was originally sentenced to five years he was placed in Pretoria's Kgosi Mampuru prison.

In October 2015, Pistorius was released after just a year in jail. 

He was ordered to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest at his uncle Arnold's home in Pretoria.

Two months later the Supreme Court overturned Pistorius' manslaughter conviction, finding him guilty of murder.

He was handed six years in prison in the hospital wing of the Kgosi Mampuru II prison in Pretoria for Reeva's murder.

Then in October 2016, Pistorius was allowed to move to cushy Atteridgeville prison surrounded by acres of lush gardens and trees.

On November 24, 2017, the former athlete had his sentence increased to 15 years, meaning he had 13 years and five months left to serve.

Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp at an awards ceremony in South Africa in 2012
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Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp at an awards ceremony in South Africa in 2012Credit: Getty - Contributor

Is Oscar Pistorius still in jail?

Shamed Pistorius is still behind bars.

Reports suggest he has become something of a spiritual leader while serving time and teaches fellow inmates about the Bible.

Dad Henke Pistorius told : “I have no doubt that Oscar has changed the environment in the prison for the better, he is helping to mediate between people and is having a positive influence.

“He can feel he is making a difference to others who really needed a difference to be made — to give their lives meaning, purpose and some hope.

"As a result, things have also improved for him.”

Pistorius may not be released until 2030
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Pistorius may not be released until 2030Credit: Reuters

When could he be released?

In November, 2017, Pistorius had his murder sentence doubled to 13 years and five months meaning he may not be released until 2030.

Reading out the court’s decision, the judge said: "The sentence imposed... in respect of murder is set aside and substituted with the following: the respondent is sentenced to imprisonment for a period of 13 years and five months.”

The family of murdered model Reeva Steenkamp welcomed the increased sentence and said it showed that justice could prevail in South Africa.

Pistorius will be eligible for parole in 2023.

South African appeals court more than doubles Oscar Pistorius sentence after the state argued that his original sentence was 'shockingly lenient'
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