Pistorius, Pretoria and Prosecutors

Question

The trial of Oscar Pistorius for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp (The State vs Oscar
Pistorius) in the High Court of South Africa in Pretoria opened on 3 March 2014.
Pistorius was an athlete with a disability who completed in multiple Paralympic
Games and the 2012 Summer Olympics. Steenkamp, a model, was shot and killed
by Pistorius at his Pretoria home.
The trial commenced from 2014 to 2016, Judge Thokozile Masipa appointed two
assessors, Janette Henzen du Toit and Themba Mazibuko, to help her evaluate
the case and reach a verdict. During the trial, a witness (a neighbour of Pistorius)
confessed that she had heard a loud argument in the early hours of the morning
minutes before shots were fired.
Hereafter, state Prosecutor Gerrie Nel claimed that Pistorius had put on his
prosthetic legs, walked across hiss bedroom to the bathroom, and intentionally shot
Steenkamp through the door. Nel argued that the time required for this process
was sufficient to establish the that the murder was premeditated.
In 2016, Pistorius was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 15 years
imprisonment.
Pistorius continues with his life in prison – and in 2017 footage was released of how
he and a notorious and dangerous gang member were playing football in the
communal court yard.

In what type of ‘specialised inmate category’, set out for offenders in
correctional facilities, does Oscar Pistorius fit?

Answer 1

Oscar Pistorius would likely fall into the "special needs" or "specialized offender" category in correctional facilities. This category typically includes individuals with disabilities, medical conditions, or other special circumstances that require additional resources or support. Pistorius, being an athlete with a disability, would likely be considered a special needs inmate due to his prosthetic legs and any accommodations that may be necessary for his mobility and daily living.