(CNN) Oscar Pistorius was released from a South African prison Monday and placed under house arrest, Correctional Services spokesman Manelisi Wolela said.

The former Olympic athlete had been in prison since October last year, when a judge sentenced him to five years for culpable homicide in the killing of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp

Pistorius shot the model and law school graduate on Valentine's Day 2013. He has said he mistook her for an intruder.

'Nothing will bring Reeva back'

After the parole board's decision last week, a lawyer for the Steenkamp family said they saw it coming.

Photos: Steenkamp: Law student to cover girl Photos: Steenkamp: Law student to cover girl Steenkamp: From law student to cover girl – South African model Reeva Steenkamp died in February 2013 after she was shot at the home of her boyfriend, Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius. She was 29. Pistorius has been found guilty of the murder, after South Africa's Supreme Court overturned the previous conviction of culpable homicide. Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: Steenkamp: Law student to cover girl Reeva Steenkamp: From law student to cover girl – Before she started dating Pistorius, Steenkamp was famous in her own right. She was a law school graduate with a vibrant personality and several modeling contracts under her belt. Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: Steenkamp: Law student to cover girl Steenkamp: From law student to cover girl – A 21-year-old Steenkamp poses on a beach in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, where she grew up. Steenkamp's friend Kerry Smith photographed the aspiring model when she was a law student. Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: Steenkamp: Law student to cover girl Steenkamp: From law student to cover girl – Steenkamp poses for another photo taken by Smith. Steenkamp was born in Cape Town, but she moved to Johannesburg to pursue modeling. Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: Steenkamp: Law student to cover girl Steenkamp: From law student to cover girl – Pistorius admitted to shooting Steenkamp, but he said it was an accident. Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: Steenkamp: Law student to cover girl Steenkamp: From law student to cover girl – Steenkamp appeared as a contestant on a South African reality show, "Tropika Island of Treasure." Her pre-recorded episode aired two days after her death. Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: Steenkamp: Law student to cover girl Steenkamp: From law student to cover girl – Steenkamp served as a presenter for FashionTV in South Africa. She was also an FHM cover girl and the face of cosmetics company Avon. Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: Steenkamp: Law student to cover girl Steenkamp: From law student to cover girl – Steenkamp "was the kindest, sweetest human being; an angel on Earth," said Capacity Relations, the agency that represented her. Hide Caption 8 of 8

"Nothing has changed for June and Barry, nothing will bring Reeva back," Tania Koen said, referring to Steenkamp's parents. "They are not surprised at all by this announcement. They expected this."

South Africa's correctional services act allows convicted criminals who have served at least one-sixth of their sentence to serve the remainder under house arrest.

'Blade Runner'

News of Steenkamp's killing stunned the nation, where Pistorius is nicknamed the "Blade Runner" because he ran on special carbon-fiber prostheses.

Photos: What next for the 'Blade Runner?' Photos: What next for the 'Blade Runner?' What next for the 'Blade Runner?' – From globally acclaimed athlete to convicted killer, Oscar Pistorius has been found guilty of the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on February 14, 2013, after South Africa's Supreme Court overturned the previous conviction of culpable homicide. Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: What next for the 'Blade Runner?' What next for the 'Blade Runner?' – A few years ago, Pistorius was racing to gold in the final event of the London 2012 Paralympic Games in the T44 400 meters event. The amputee had become the most recognizable Paralympian of all time, while also making Olympic history. Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: What next for the 'Blade Runner?' What next for the 'Blade Runner?' – The South African became the first double amputee to compete in the Olympic Games on August 2012, lining up for the heats of the men's 400 meters. He also competed in the 4 x 400m relay. Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: What next for the 'Blade Runner?' What next for the 'Blade Runner?' – Athens 2004 was the first time Pistorius competed in the Paralympic Games, also winning his first gold medal in the 200m for T44 category athletes. He also bagged a bronze in the 100m event. Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: What next for the 'Blade Runner?' What next for the 'Blade Runner?' – Pistorius was one of the stars of Beijing 2008 and his star continued to rise after he won three gold medals at his second Paralympic Games. Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: What next for the 'Blade Runner?' What next for the 'Blade Runner?' – Pistorius battled for years for the right to compete against able-bodied athletes. In 2011, his blades graced the track of Daegu, South Korea for the 2011 World Championships. Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: What next for the 'Blade Runner?' What next for the 'Blade Runner?' – In his first major final of the 2012 Games, Pistorius was left stunned as Brazil's Alan Oliveira thundered to gold in the 200m T44 event. After the race, Pistorius accused Oliveira of wearing illegal blades. Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: What next for the 'Blade Runner?' What next for the 'Blade Runner?' – Pistorius' hopes of appearing at future Paralympic Games look to be over, with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) handing Pistorius a five-year ban. Even if he is out of prison, Pistorius will be unable to compete at the Rio 2016 Games. When his IPC ban comes to an end, Pistorius will be 32. Hide Caption 8 of 8

Despite having both legs amputated below the knee as a toddler, he excelled in sports, representing his country in the Paralympic Games and the 2012 London Olympics.

Steenkamp was found shot to death in his home, and he acknowledged firing the fatal shots through his bathroom door.

Last year, a j udge found him "negligent" in Steenkamp's death . But the judge said he did not commit murder nor did he intend to kill her.

Prosecutors are appealing the verdict, believing Pistorius, who is now 28, should be convicted of murder.

The state's appeal is set to take place next month.