Pistorius should get community service, says prison official

South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius arrives at the High Court in Pretoria on October 13, 2014 as the sentencing phase of his trial begins. Mr Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide in the killing of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day in 2013.Zinyange Auntony/AFP PhotoShow less

PRETORIA // A South African prison official on Monday recommended that Oscar Pistorius clean a Pretoria museum for 16 hours a month as punishment for shooting dead his lover Reeva Steenkamp.

Joel Maringa, a social worker in South Africa’s crowded and brutal jails, told a sentencing hearing that Pistorius should not go to jail, but receive “correctional supervision” for three years under house arrest.

Pistorius was found guilty last month of negligently killing his girlfriend in the early hours of Valentine’s Day 2013.

The 27-year-old double amputee was cleared of the more serious charge of murder, a verdict that shocked the country and fuelled criticism of South Africa’s legal system.

He could face up to 15 years in prison or could dodge a jail altogether with a non-custodial sentence.

“The accused will benefit from correctional supervision,” said Mr Maringa, adding that “he will get an opportunity to restructure and modify his behaviour”.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said the suggestion was “shockingly inappropriate”.

Reeva’s father Barry Steenkamp held his head with his hand as Mr Maringa spoke.

Mr Maringa was one of three witnesses called by Pistorius’s defence lawyers Monday, who are fighting to keep him out of jail.

Defence lawyer Barry Roux said he would likely call four witnesses during the sentencing hearing. Mr Nel said the state would call at least two, with the hearing expected to last a week.

After the sentence is handed down, both the state and defence can appeal, a legal process that could drag on for years.

* Agence France-Presse with additional reporting by Associated Press