Oscar Pistorius doesn’t need rehabilitation

Rehab is a state of mind, it comes from within, writes Dries E from Strubenvale.

One of these days, Oscar Pistorius will be a free man – on parole, but free. I’ve seen many readers of The Citizen giving advice about rehabilitation of the said offender.

Oscar was sentenced to a term of imprisonment, not for punishment but as punishment. There is no difference between one killing and another.

Oscar, being a first offender, and I’ll put my head on the block, a last offender, does not need rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is not some kind of magic potion. Rehab is a state of mind, it comes from within. If a single brick falls off a wall, that wall does not need rehabilitation. If the wall falls over, it does. It is the same with offenders. Multiple offenders need rehabilitation. In jail and out.

Psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers will never be able to correct offenders unless certain rules are adhered to.

The rules as defined and lived by me are as follows: 1. never return to your old hangouts; 2. never go back to so-called buddies or friends (this will also be for your old jail buddies); 3. get a job – cleaning toilets outside of jail and being paid is better than cleaning toilets inside jail for free; 4. stay away from alcohol. Do not drink. Being sober and free beats being sober in jail; and 5. get yourself a good life partner. Somebody that will stand by you through thick and thin.

Do this, and you will enjoy life as it should be enjoyed. This has worked for me for 37 years.