Pistorius may be denied early prison release over lack of ankles to fit electronic tag

Jailed Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius might be denied early release from prison because his prosthetic legs make it impossible to fit an electronic tag.

A five-year sentence was ruled out for Pistorius last month and he would be appealing the manslaughter conviction in a hearing on December 9.

Speculations are rife that the Paralympian was hoping to serve just 10 months in Pretoria's notorious Kgosi Mampuru prison for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine's Day last year, The Daily Star reported.

Pistorius would spend the rest of his time under house arrest at his uncle's in Waterkloof, where he would have full use of a gym and swimming pool should he wish to stay fit and one day return to competitive athletics.

Yet South African prison sources have said that this might not be possible as the double amputee doesn't have ankles to attach the tags to.

The prison sources revealed that the device has to be attached physically to the offender's ankle. He added that they cannot use it on false limbs which could be left somewhere static while the offender goes missing.

Tags cannot be affixed to offender's wrists as they are too easily removed.

Pistorius is currently being fed rations of bread and butter in an isolated cell two metres by three metres in size, with a solid steel door, the report added.