Oscar Pistorius eligible for parole, could be free this week

Former Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius has applied for parole and is expected to attend a hearing on Friday that will decide if he can be released from prison 10 years after killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp by shooting her multiple times through a toilet door in his home.

Pistorius, who was convicted of murder in Steenkamp's Valentine's Day 2013 killing, could leave the Atteridgeville Correctional Centre in Pretoria on Friday if his parole is granted, although the Department of Corrections said the process may take days to finalize if his application is successful.

Barry and June Steenkamp, the parents of Reeva, have said they oppose Pistorius' release and are allowed to address the parole board at his hearing. A submission by a victim's relatives is one of numerous factors taken into account.

"He is a murderer. He should remain in jail," Barry Steenkamp said in an interview with Britain's Daily Mail newspaper published last month on the 10th anniversary of his daughter's killing.

According to guidelines, the board will consider the offence Pistorius was convicted of, his conduct and disciplinary record while in prison, whether he took part in educational or other training courses, his mental and physical state, whether he's likely to "relapse into crime" and the risk he poses to the public.

Of all the factors, legal expert Neo Mashele said that "generally speaking, the behaviour of the offender is the most important consideration."

Pistorius' parole lawyer, Julian Knight, has previously said Pistorius has been a "model prisoner." Knight didn't respond to requests for comment this week. Neither did a lawyer for the Steenkamps.

Pistorius, who is now 36, was ultimately convicted of murder after prosecutors appealed