OSCAR PISTORIUS HEADS TO KGOSI MAMPURU II PRISON

Hours after Judge Thokizile Masipa sentenced Oscar Pistorius
to five-years in jail for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp
and a further three years — suspended for five years — for
discharging a firearm in public, the disgraced paralympian
headed to the Kgosi Mampuru II prison, formerly known as the
Pretoria Central Prison.
Within six hours of being admitted, he would undergo a health
assessment at the prison hospital section. After this, he would
be told which section he would serve his sentence in.
The prison houses 7 000 offenders, but it is unlikely that
Pistorius would be placed in the general population. It is
believed that he would be housed in one of the prison’s 22
single cells — seven of which are currently occupied.
Each cell has a toilet, a basin, a cupboard and a bed with
basic linen. During sentencing, it was indicated that should
Oscar need a shower with a bench or rails, it would not be
unreasonable that these could be installed for him.
According to the Department of Corrections, the prison also
offers a range of programs to help inmates deal with anger
management, substance abuse, and life in prison.
Should Pistorius choose to keep himself busy, he can chose
from skill development courses such as spray painting and
welding. He could also earn a little money working in the
textile or furniture workshops, or gardening.
The prison also has two gyms where Oscar can work out and
maintain his fitness if he has hopes of returning to athletics
when he is released.
The paralympian would also be allowed two visitors per week
over the weekend or on public holidays, who could stay for a
maximum of 60 minutes depending on which section he
is assigned to.
Pistorius was stoic throughout the sentencing, showing very
little emotion. It is believed that his lawyers and psychologist
would have prepared him for the eventuality of serving time in
prison.
Outside the court, Pistorius’ uncle, Arnold Pistorius, told
reporters that as a family, they have accepted the judgement
and the sentence. “As a family, we will guide Oscar as he
begins serving his sentence.”
He also appealed to the media for privacy. “After 20 months of
a relentless trial, please allow us to move further in this
grieving process and give us some degree of privacy and
dignity as we do so.”
Meanwhile, the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) said the
sentence signalled a sad day for women in South Africa.
“We are saddened by the judgment . . . we have never been
happy with the conviction of culpable homicide, instead of
murder,” ANCWL Spokeswoman Jacqui Mofokeng said outside
the court. “We call for the national prosecutions to appeal this
sentence . . . and do it for our society.”