Johannesburg - Oscar Pistorius can spend R75 more at his prison tuck shop this month on one-off purchases of sweets, Christmas decorations and cooldrinks, according to the Department of Correctional Services.
But the celebrity convict, along with other inmates at Pretoria’s Kgosi Mampuru II prison, is not guaranteed a special meal on Christmas day, unless, under specific circumstances, the food services unit requests that one be cooked.
To feed Pistorius’ soul, however, Christmas church services are being held throughout December “facilitated by spiritual workers from different denominations,” Logan Maistry, the Correctional Services spokesman told the Saturday Star this week.
Maistry was not allowed to comment on individual inmates. “Christmas in a correctional centre is just like any other day,” he said.
“However, inmates may spend an additional R75 from their personal funds during December.”
Offenders were allowed visitors “as per their relevant classification group, Maistry added.
Pistorius, who is in a single-person cell in a small ward in the prison’s hospital wing, is reportedly a Class B inmate.
His classification allows him a few photographs in his cell, two “no-contact” visits on weekends and 45 visits in total a year.
If he abides by the rules, he could be moved to Class A, where he’ll be allowed cooldrinks and chocolates.
Pistorius is serving a five-year sentence for culpable homicide for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. This week, the State’s prosecution team, headed by Gerrie Nel, was granted leave to appeal against the athlete’s acquittal on a murder charge.
Saturday Star