In a story you'll only see on NY1 the city is ramping up a program giving jail inmates vocational skills, in the hope they will not return to their criminal ways when they're released. It's part of Mayor Bill de Blasio's initiative to reduce inmate violence as NY1's Reena Diamante reports.

It’s not as easy as a flip of the switch. 

But city officials hope life after jail will be easier for these inmates, under a program called "I-CAN".

They are learning to become electricians at the Vernon C. Bain Correctional Facility — a jail in the South Bronx.

"I’ve never really worked with electricity, this is a first time thing for me, something new, I actually like it," said inmate Corey Davis.

The goal is to give inmates the tools and support needed to find work — and stay out of trouble, when they're released.

I-CAN also provides training in plumbing, painting and building maintenance.

"It’s making me more driven," said Davis. "With me having my first daughter, I don’t just want to be just a slouch, I want her to be able to have things that I didn’t have growing up."

"Learning a trade or going back to school, that would be best for me," said inmate Jario Parra. "Learning something new today inspired me to do something greater in life."

The city is adding $8.7 million to the program allowing 6,400 inmates to receive training this year. That's up from 2,300 part of de Blasio's 14-point plan to reduce jail violence. 

"It keeps them busy doing something that’s meaningful and it reduces the idle time which in turn reduces problems in the institution making it safe for the inmates who live here and safe for the staff," said James Walsh, Deputy Commissioner for Adult Programming and Community Partnerships at the Department of Corrections.

And the training doesn’t just happen while they’re inside. When they’re out, services continue with the help of two nonprofits, the Osborne Association and the Fortune Society.

With help in job placement, relapse intervention and parenting, advocates see new possibilities for the inmates.

"They’re no longer ashamed, because they don’t define themselves any longer by what they’ve done," said Yolanda Morales, senior director of the I-CAN Program for Fortune Society. "They defined themselves by who they are and where they’re going."

"I have, you know, a job right now, I got an apartment right now, and before I didn’t have that," said former inmate Rafael Perez.

"I'm really doing great I feel good about myself my confidence is up," said former inmate Michael Doctor. "I have a good rapport with my family. I'm a grandfather. I mean it really works."