Oscar Pistorius could be released from prison on parole

Pistorius: Destroyed, Depressed, and Ruined (Video from 2016)

(CNN) -

South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, who was convicted of killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp in 2013, may soon be eligible for parole, according to prison officials.

Pistorius must first participate in a "Restorative Justice" program before he is eligible for release, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) confirmed to CNN on Tuesday.

"The Department of Correctional Services can confirm its commitment to the Reeva Steenkamp family in an issue involving inmate Oscar Pistorius," Department of Correctional Services spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo said in a statement.

Pistorius killed Steenkamp at his home in an exclusive Pretoria neighborhood in the early hours of February 14, 2013, a murder that he claimed was an accident after he mistook her for an intruder, but which the prosecution called an act. Deliberate after the two had had a fight.

• Oscar Pistorius's sentence for the murder of his girlfriend increased

Pistorius walked without a prosthesis to ask for mercy

The conviction of Oscar Pistorius

Oscar Pistorius was originally convicted of manslaughter in 2014 after months of hearings.

He was sentenced to five years in prison, but a higher court overturned the sentence and changed it to murder a year later.

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The judge described Pistorius as a "fallen hero" who will never be at peace and sentenced him to six years in prison.

However, in 2017, a higher court in South Africa more than doubled Pistorius's sentence for Steenkamp's murder.

The Supreme Court of Appeals increased his sentence to 13 years and five months for the murder of Steenkamp.

The court issued the ruling after the prosecution appealed his previous six-year sentence for being too lenient.

• Oscar Pistorius suffers wrist injuries in prison

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Oscar Pistorius leaves the court this June 14 in Pretoria, South Africa.

(Credit: Charlie Shoemaker / Getty Images)

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From outside the court it was possible to see the moment when Pistorius removed his prostheses and stood in front of the dais for the court to see his condition.

(Credit: Charlie Shoemaker / Getty Images)

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The athlete's lawyer asked him to show the Court his disability while recounting the events of this morning.

After a few minutes Pistorius knelt down and began to cry.

(Credit: Charlie Shoemaker / Getty Images)

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Reeva Steenkamp's cousin Kim Martin testified in court saying that Reeva did not love Pistorius.

(Credit: Siphiwe Sibeko - Pool / Getty Images)

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From outside the court it was possible to see the moment when Pistorius removed his prostheses and stood in front of the dais for the court to see his condition.

(Credit: Charlie Shoemaker / Getty Images)

What do you need to get out on parole?

Before an offender can be considered for parole, they must participate "in programs designed to prepare them for a life free from crime beyond incarceration," including Restorative Justice, where offenders can recognize and assume responsibility for their actions, says a statement.

The process aims to "create an opportunity for the parties to reconcile" or to apologize for their actions.

"Therefore, it was necessary for him to approach the Steenkamp family and this was done with great care, as victims must be prepared before participating in the Victim-Offender Dialogue (VOD)," the statement read.

As Oscar Pistorius is incarcerated in Gauteng and the Steenkamp family resides in another province, DCS has to work on logistical arrangements.

"This required a postponement as we are finalizing the modalities that will ensure that all relevant parties are well prepared and ready to participate in an enabling environment," DCS said.

Tania Koen, Steenkamps' lawyer, told South African broadcaster SABC in a video posted Saturday that Reeva's parents "confirmed that they would like to participate in the victim-offender dialogue."

"The wound, even though it's been so long, is still very raw," Koen said.

"Every day is difficult for them."

"June [Reeva's mother] has always said she has forgiven Oscar, however that doesn't mean he shouldn't pay for what he's done," Koen said.

"So forgiveness is not a problem for June ... Barry [Reeva's father] struggles a bit with that, but that's something he will have to express at the appropriate time."

CNN's Nicole Chavez and Sean Coppack contributed to this report.

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