A pilot program at the Suffolk County jail is giving some troubled teenagers a chance to change their lives around.

The inmates participating in the Youth Tier program say they have been using their time behind bars to re-evaluate their lives. To be accepted into the program the teens had to give up their gang affiliation. They also had to agree to follow stricter rules and attend more than a half dozen programs.

Sheriff Vincent DeMarco says the program aims to give teenagers structure and life skills through vocational training and education.

Suffolk County Sheriff?s Office