Oscar Pistorius's life in prison after his bid for parole is refused trends now

Oscar Pistorius's life in prison after his bid for parole is refused trends now
Oscar Pistorius's life in prison after his bid for parole is refused trends now

Oscar Pistorius's life in prison after his bid for parole is refused trends now

Oscar Pistorius has spent six years behind bars for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp in 2013, and was today told by a parole hearing that he had not served the minimum sentence to be granted early release. 

Instead, the disgraced athlete will continue to serve his 13-year sentence for shooting dead Ms Steenkamp a decade ago, and will only eligible to apply for parole again in August 2024. 

During his time behind bars, Pistorius has been at the centre of serious controversy, from a brawl over a prison phone to reportedly playing football with a Czech mobster.

But detention services said today he has also 'worked quite hard' during his time in prison, with revelations he led a Bible group and helped other prisoners while locked up.

His sentence has been served in two very different prisons - with his first year seen out in the notorious Kgosi Mampuru II maximum security prison before he was moved to the 'relaxed' Atteridgeville facility, where he remains.

Here, MailOnline looks at what life has been like for the former Olympian and Paralympian during his years in prison. 

Oscar Pistorius, the disgraced former Olympian who murdered his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013, was told today that his bid for an early release from prison had failed

Oscar Pistorius, the disgraced former Olympian who murdered his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013, was told today that his bid for an early release from prison had failed

A prison cell in Kgosi Mampuru II maximum security prison, where Oscar Pistorius saw out his first year behind bars

A prison cell in Kgosi Mampuru II maximum security prison, where Oscar Pistorius saw out his first year behind bars

Kgosi Mampuru II maximum security prison

Pistorius's first year behind bars was at the notorious Kgosi Mampuru II maximum security prison, home to South Africa's most dangerous criminals.

Home to 8,000 inmates, violent gangs were said to rule the facility.  

Because his fame and disability meant he might be targeted by gangsters, Pistorius was housed in the hospital wing of the prison, which staff described as 'very secure', 'very clean', and 'nice and neat'.

But that didn't stop the famous athlete from complaining about his conditions, with prison inspection officers Violet Ngobeni and Boitumelo Morake meeting with him on numerous occasions.

'When he arrived he was angry,' said Ngobeni. 'The first time I went to see him he was like 'I don't want to talk to anyone.''

He seemingly became more sociable, with grainy cellphone footage from inside the prison showing him playing football with a Czech mob boss. 

'He complained that he wanted a bath. They [correctional services) built a bath in his cell': A picture from inside Kgosi Mampuru II jail shows a tub

'He complained that he wanted a bath. They [correctional services) built a bath in his cell': A picture from inside Kgosi Mampuru II jail shows a tub

The officers told CNN that he began to open up to them over the course of their meetings, in which he would share his complaints.

'He complained that he wanted a bath. They built a bath in his cell. 

'He also had a complaint about his bed. And they replaced his bed for him,' said Murasiet Mentoor, the regional manager of the Judicial Inspectorate.

Pistorius also raised concerns that his food might be poisoned, and chose to buy processed foods, inspectors said. 

Reports suggest the murderer was desperate to leave and feared returning when he was moved to a lower security prison. 

Atteridgeville prison 

Pistorius was moved to Atteridgeville prison, which is said to be more suited to him due to his disability, after a year behind bars

Pistorius was moved to Atteridgeville prison, which is said to be more suited to him due to his disability, after a year behind bars

After serving just a year of his sentence in the high-security jail, Pistorius was moved to Atteridgeville prison - said to be more suited to him due to his disability.

The ruling meant that the Paralympian was almost certainly the only convicted murderer in the facility, which then housed just 1,000 prisoners.

It was described as having a 'relaxed, family atmosphere' and by one of Pistorius's relatives as 'the best place he could be as a prisoner'.

A spokesman for Atteridgeville told MailOnline in 2018 that the 31 year-old had been given permission to remain at the more laidback facility after being found to be 'low risk'. 

The facility, on the outskirts of Pretoria, was described as having a 'relaxed, family atmosphere' and by one of Pistorius's relatives as 'the best place he could be as a prisoner'

The facility, on the outskirts of Pretoria, was described as having a 'relaxed, family atmosphere' and by one of Pistorius's relatives as 'the best place he could be as a prisoner'

His cell there was reported to have a specially adapted en-suite bathroom and he was allowed to grow his own food in the extensive gardens.

He continues to serve his sentence there after a parole hearing held at the facility decided he had been behind bars for less than the 'minimum detention period' required to qualify for early release.

Prison brawl 

In 2017, the disgraced Paralympian was allegedly involved in a fight with an inmate from a neighbouring cell at Atteridgeville over the use of a public phone.

He was the only person injured in the brawl, sustaining a bruise, according to prison staff.

Prison spokesman, Singabakho Nxumalo, said at the time: 'It is alleged that he was involved in an altercation with another inmate over the use of a public phone in the special care unit where both offenders are detained at Attridgeville Correctional Centre.

In 2017, the disgraced Paralympian was allegedly involved in a fight with an inmate from a neighbouring cell at Atteridgeville over the use of a public phone

In 2017, the disgraced Paralympian was allegedly involved in a fight with an inmate from a neighbouring cell at Atteridgeville over the use of a public phone

The department has launched an investigation, in terms of standard procedure, to 'establish the facts and to ensure that appropriate action is taken as incidents of assaults are not allowed', he told the BBC.

Spiritual leader 

In 2018, Pistorius appeared to be trying to turn over a new leaf, with reports emerging that he had adopted the role of a spiritual leader in the prison.

The Christian former athlete took on the mantel of a Bible group leader, and was helping other inmates with his religion, according to his father, Henke Pistorius. 

Henke told the Times that his son had 'always been a child of God' and was 'making a difference to others' within the prison walls.

Pistorius will continue to serve his 13-year sentence for killing Ms Steenkamp a decade ago, and will only eligible to apply for parole again in August 2024

Pistorius will continue to serve his 13-year sentence for killing Ms Steenkamp a decade ago, and will only eligible to apply for parole again in August 2024

'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,' Mr Pistorius said.

'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

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