Oscar Pistorius sentencing: South African prison services deny they have prepared jail cell for paralympian

Athlete will be sentenced by judge tomorrow, having been convicted of culpable homicide

Pistorius in court last week (Reuters)

South Africa’s prison service has been forced to deny it has already prepared a jail cell for paralympian Oscar Pistorius ahead of his sentencing tomorrow.

A Correctional Services official claims a cell at Kgosi Mampuru II prison – South Africa’s highest security jail after C Max in Pretoria – has been prepared should Pistorius face incarceration, according to Eye Witness News.

A prison official scotched these allegations. "Any insinuation that the department has prepared a cell to incarcerate anyone who has not yet been sentenced to a jail term is both malicious and irresponsible," spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said to News24..

Judge Thokozile Masipa will determine tomorrow the length and severity of his sentence.

Mr Mhago said that as no sentence had been handed down, he questioned the ability of the Correctional Service source’s claim, adding: "That official has to be dealt with accordingly."

Analysis: Athlete's wealth and notoriety have provoked an overdue debate on South African prisons The state prosecution has called for the athlete to face at least 10 years behind bars. Pistorius’ legal team has argued the double amputee should receive a maximum sentence of three years occasional house arrest, community service, and no jail time, claiming that violent South African prisons would “break” the athlete.