Oscar Pistorius released from prison

Johannesburg: Paralympian Oscar Pistorius, South Africa's "Blade Runner", has been released from prison a day short of a year into his 5-year sentence for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

The disgraced Paralympic gold medallist was released on Monday evening local time - a day earlier than expected - an official statement said.

Manelisi Wolela, a spokesman for South Africa's correctional services department, said Pistorius was put under "correctional supervision" late on Monday, October 19.

"The handling of the actual placement is an operational matter of the local management, and how they handle it is their prerogative that is carried out in the best interest of all parties concerned," Mr Wolela said in a statement according to the AFP.

South Africa's Oscar Pistorius starts in the men's 400-metre semi-final at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London. Photo: AP

Pistorius, 28, fired four shots through a locked bathroom door, killing his then-girlfriend Ms Steenkamp, in the early hours of Valentine's Day 2013. She died at the scene. He claimed he believed she was a burglar.

Oscar Pistorius is escorted by police officers as he leaves the high court in Pretoria, South Africa last year. Photo: AP

He will serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest at his uncle Arnold's luxury home in a wealthy suburb in the capital of Pretoria.

Fateful relationship ... Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp in 2012 in Johannesburg. Photo: Gallo Images

Tania Koen, a lawyer for the Steenkamp family told state broadcaster SABC last week: "Nothing is changed in their lives. Reeva is not coming back."

Pistorius is yet to face an appeal by prosecutors, who argue that he should have been convicted of murder, rather than culpable homicide.