Adv Michael Masutha (MP)  - Minister for Justice and Correctional Service

Deputy Minister Mr J, Jeffrey MP - Minister for Justice and Correctional Services.

And;

Judge Lucy Mailula - Chair of The Parole Board Pretoria CBD, Pretoria Area, Gauteng, South Africa.

PETITION - TO OBJECT TO THE SUSPENDED RELEASE OF MR OSCAR PISTORIUS.

We, the International Community, Supporters for Oscar Pistorius Demand the suspension to release Mr Oscar Pistorius cease immediately and proceed in accordance the original terms of placement as handed down by the Honourable Judge Masipa, the High Court Pretoria on 21 October, 2014 and that which had been decided, agreed and implemented on 5th June, 2015 by the Parole Board for Department Correctional Services, Pretoria, South Africa, proceed without hindrance.

Please note the following;

During the consideration of placement of an offender, specific attention is given to the type of crime committed, the length of the sentence and the gravity thereof which must be counterbalanced with other factors for consideration, including circumstances surrounding the committing of crime, the victim and their family. The conduct of the offender, his/ her adaptation in a correctional centre and his/ her progress on the way to rehabilitation and correcting offending behaviour will also play an important role when considering possible placement.

When consideration is given to releasing an offender the potential risks related to such a placement are thoroughly considered and specific measures are put in place to ensure that the necessary control and supervision will be exercised over the offender until expiration of sentence.

Irrespective of the period served, an offender would be found unsuitable for parole placement if he/she:

Poses a real threat or danger to the community, has repeatedly shown that he/ she does not wish to or cannot comply with set conditions of conditional release does not comply with the expectations of imprisonment including compliance with the sentence plan, adaptation or behavioural problems etc.
In such a case it will be advisable that the offender preferably serve a greater part of his/her sentence in a Correctional Centre. In order to be able to monitor his/ her reintegration into the community, he/she should be placed under parole supervision and under strict conditions for only a short period of time. Only in exceptional cases offenders with poor prognosis are released conditionally.

Complainant involvement

Please note - In another significant departure from past practices and in a deliberate attempt to empower complainants and victims of crime, the complainants or relatives of the complainants of certain specific serious crimes now may make representations to the Board and they may even be allowed to attend sessions of the Board. This is regarded as a significant milestone in the quest to establish and promote restorative justice as an acceptable and viable mediation process. Directives in this regard has been finalised and is available on the Departments own web page. Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards can also be contacted for more information in this regard.

Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards - What is Parole?

Refers the following link;

http://www.dcs.gov.za/Services/CorrectionalSupervisionandParoleBoards.aspx

Reasons for Parole that had been granted are

Oscar Pistorius has served his time in prison on exemplary behaviour and had been upgraded from a Category B prisoner to a Category A, which comes with a few privileges. He has shown the extent of his remorse which is on-going and has engaged well with his peers, he has also shown a willingness to improve himself. He has cooperated willingly with all parties concerned and proven he is not a threat to society. It is highly unlikely that Oscar Pistorius would commit another crime or be a danger to the public.

The Justice Department, South Africa wants to amend a section of the Criminal Procedures Act dealing with criminal records in a bid to give former offenders a second chance, Minister Michael Masutha indicated during his budget vote speech in Parliament and we agree that ..."everyone does deserve a second chance".

• Oscar is not a threat to society.
• Up until the tragedy Oscar had achieved more in his life than anyone else we know.
• He has achieved more for his country than many able bodied people.
• Oscar is a first time offender, there is no prior record of criminal activity, he was charged with Culpable Homicide and sentenced to five years, serving ten months of this sentence in prison.
• He has the most remarkable attitude despite having gone through this tragedy and having taken his punishment as a man.
• He has more than admitted his faults and displayed remorse.
• Oscar did not kill his girlfriend intentionally. He loved and adored Reeva that is plain for anyone to see.
• He has been punished more than once and must live with the consequences for the rest of his life.
• There are two families struggling to come to terms with this tragedy.
• Oscar has lost everything, almost, he can try to start over again.
• Oscar may not arrive at the same level as he had before, but he can do different things with his life to strive for better than he has now.

We, the International Supporters for Oscar Pistorius declare our profound objection to this suspension for release as a matter of principle that the original High Court Judgement must be adhered too, without change.

Sincerely,

Shar Grainger - Petition Director for

The International Supporters for Oscar Pistorius.

#Parole4Oscar

#SignPetition4Oscar