Inmates on home confinement could be sent back to prison after the pandemic: "Why make us go back and do it again?"

Washington — Chad Ducey, a 46-year-old father of two, is one of approximately 8,300 federal inmates who were sent home last spring in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus behind bars. When he first stepped out of prison, beginning his home supervision, he had no idea he might have to go back.

Last year, the Trump administration's Justice Department filed a memo requiring these inmates to return when the pandemic ends. There are exceptions for inmates with less than six months or 10% remaining on their sentence who would otherwise qualify for home confinement. To date, there are 4,700 inmates living at home under federal supervision, the federal Bureau of Prisons said. Ducey, who is still under home confinement near Indianapolis, said he has been taking steps to better his life outside, from starting a delivery job to being "the best dad" he can be for his two daughters. "A vast majority of us have successfully reintegrated into society. So why make us go back and do it again?" Ducey told CBS News.