After a parole review panel upheld Oscar Pistorius’ jail sentence, the athlete’s family condemned the decision and questioned if he is being treated fairly.
BBC News reported that on Monday the panel the Pistorius will remain in prison and not be released on house arrest.
As we previously reported, the Paralympian was found guilty of culpable homicide last year for the shooting death of his girlfriend Reena Steenkamp. He was sentenced to five years in prison but it was recommended that he be transferred to house arrest after serving six months. However, Justice Minister Michael Masutha did not release him then and said the release was granted prematurely.
The panel led by Judge Lucy Mailula agreed with Masutha and said Pistorius would not be released.
After the decision came down the 28-year-old’s family suggested that because of his high-profile image the former Olympian was not being treated fairly by the justice system.
"This experience leaves us with the uncomfortable conclusion that the public, political and media hype that was allowed to develop around Oscar's trial has undermined his right to be treated like any other prisoner - as per the prescripts of the Correctional Services Act,” a statement from his family read.
Pistorius is likely to remain in prison now until November, prosecutors though are seeking a lengthier sentence as they hope to get a murder conviction at a future trial.