Oscar Pistorius Set to Be Released from Prison in January, Nearly 11 Years After His Murder Conviction

The Paralympian was sentenced to 13 years and five months in prison for the 2013 killing of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp

Oscar Pistorius, who has been in jail since his 2013 conviction for the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, is set to be released from prison on parole in January.

The former Paralympic champion, 37, was sentenced to 13 years and five months in prison by a South African court in 2016.

According to the Department of Correctional Services in South Africa, the parole board has set his release for Jan. 5, 2024.

In a statement shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday, the Department of Correctional Services said Pistorius will be monitored by the authorities until his sentence expires.

“Parole placement forms part of the total rehabilitation programme in correcting offending behavior and may include continuation of programmes aimed at reintegration whilst in the system of community corrections,” the statement added.

Related: Oscar Pistorius' Sentence for Murdering Girlfriend Is More Than Doubled: Reports

Per the BBC, Pistorius will also have to attend therapy sessions, according to the Steenkamp family's spokesperson.

According to the outlet, Steenkamp's mother, June Steenkamp, said in a letter sent to the parole board ahead of Friday’s hearing that she didn’t oppose Pistorius’ early release, but questioned whether he had truly dealt with his "huge anger issues” while in jail.

She also added that she would potentially be "concerned for the safety of any woman" who comes into contact with Pistorius.

Related: WATCH: Oscar Pistorius Cries While Speaking Out About Girlfriend's Death: 'I Did Take Reeva's Life, and I Have to Live with It'

June did not attend Friday’s hearing at Atteridgeville Correctional Facility, according to the BBC, and said, “I simply cannot muster the energy to face him again at this stage.”

Pistorius fatally shot his girlfriend Reeva multiple times through a closed bathroom door on Valentine’s Day in 2013. The double-amputee, who earned the nickname "Blade Runner," shot Reeva at his Pretoria, South Africa, home, authorities said.

During his trial in South Africa, Pistorius admitted to shooting the 29-year-old model and law school graduate, but claimed he mistook her for a burglar. He pleaded not guilty, however, prosecutors argued he intentionally killed Reeva in a fit of rage.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. 

As previously reported by PEOPLE, Pistorius was denied an early release from prison at the end of March. "The reason provided is that the inmate did not complete the minimum Detention Period as ruled by the Supreme Court of Appeal," a news release at the time read.

However, this was later ruled a mistake by South Africa's Constitutional Court according to the BBC, which is what led to Friday’s hearing.

At the time, the Department of Correctional Services said Pistorius would be reconsidered for parole in August 2024.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.