News / Africa
Oscar Pistorius may be forced to stay in jail because he has no ankles
10 Nov 2014 at 21:12hrs | Views
Oscar Pistorius may not get early release from jail because the electronic tagging device cannot be fitted securely to his prosthetic leg, it emerged today.
The revelation came as South African prosecutors said their request to appeal the athlete's manslaughter conviction and five-year prison sentence would be heard on December 9.
The runner had hoped he would qualify for home detention curfew with a tag after serving just ten months of his sentence.
Apparently prison bosses have told him he can't take part in their tagging scheme because the device cannot be properly monitored if it is fixed to a prosthetic leg.
The tags cannot by law be fixed to an offender's wrists as they are too easily removed.
Pistorius, 27, had both legs amputated as a child and relies on prosthetic legs for his mobility.
South Africa's Correctional Services Department started a pilot scheme for tagging offenders in April.
Pistorius told his defence team he believed he was a suitable case with no previous convictions for violence.
But prison sources said yesterday: 'The device has to be attached physically to the offender's ankle.
'We cannot use it on false limbs which could be left somewhere static while the offender goes missing.'
Oscar was living with his wealthy uncle Arnold and family members throughout his seven-month trial for the killing of blonde model Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year.
Pistorius enjoys few luxuries despite the extra protection. He has no TV in his cell and is not allowed a mobile phone.
His day starts at 5.30am when he washes, dresses and tidies up his cell.
He has two sets of bright orange prison overalls and has been allowed to keep his own white T-shirts and tracksuits.
Breakfast of porridge with coffee or juice is brought to him at 7am.
Pistorius is said to be quiet and calm in prison after an initial meltdown during his first few days when other inmates heard him sobbing himself to sleep.
Prison sources say that his current mood seems to be one of relief.
He has been told that, even without release on a tagging system, he may be able to apply for parole after 10 months.
The revelation came as South African prosecutors said their request to appeal the athlete's manslaughter conviction and five-year prison sentence would be heard on December 9.
The runner had hoped he would qualify for home detention curfew with a tag after serving just ten months of his sentence.
Apparently prison bosses have told him he can't take part in their tagging scheme because the device cannot be properly monitored if it is fixed to a prosthetic leg.
The tags cannot by law be fixed to an offender's wrists as they are too easily removed.
Pistorius, 27, had both legs amputated as a child and relies on prosthetic legs for his mobility.
South Africa's Correctional Services Department started a pilot scheme for tagging offenders in April.
Pistorius told his defence team he believed he was a suitable case with no previous convictions for violence.
But prison sources said yesterday: 'The device has to be attached physically to the offender's ankle.
'We cannot use it on false limbs which could be left somewhere static while the offender goes missing.'
Oscar was living with his wealthy uncle Arnold and family members throughout his seven-month trial for the killing of blonde model Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year.
Pistorius enjoys few luxuries despite the extra protection. He has no TV in his cell and is not allowed a mobile phone.
His day starts at 5.30am when he washes, dresses and tidies up his cell.
He has two sets of bright orange prison overalls and has been allowed to keep his own white T-shirts and tracksuits.
Breakfast of porridge with coffee or juice is brought to him at 7am.
Pistorius is said to be quiet and calm in prison after an initial meltdown during his first few days when other inmates heard him sobbing himself to sleep.
Prison sources say that his current mood seems to be one of relief.
He has been told that, even without release on a tagging system, he may be able to apply for parole after 10 months.
Source - DailyMail
