Paralympian Oscar Pistorius serving a five year jail sentence for the manslaughter of his lover has been granted new privileges.
Pistorius becomes eligible for release in August to serve the rest of sentence under house imprisonment.
However the state is appealing Judge Thokozile Masipa acquitting Pistorius of murder.
At Kgosi Mampuru prison in Pretoria where the double amputee is in special accommodation, Oscar Pistorius has been upgraded to category A inmate from category B.
The prison authorities have decided he poses little threat to security.
This means he’s allowed more visitors and may hug and kiss them, wear jewellery and keep a radio in his cell. He is can make more personal telephone calls.
He’s also allowed to have a hobby and may spend more money on toiletries and snacks.
The family of Reeva Steenkamp, whom he shot and killed two years ago, are reportedly unhappy about the development.
Her uncle, Mike Steenkamp says the correctional services department evidently has a short memory about what Pistorius did.
Pistorius admits shooting Steenkamp but says he mistook her for an intruder.
The judge found his firing through a closed bathroom door, amounts to culpable homicide.
A Pistorius family source say his new status has boosted the jailed athlete’s spirits.
His most frequent visitors are his brother Carl and sister Aimee.