A report published this month (June 2017) has found levels of drug use in Armley Jail are "unacceptably high." It comes just over a year after inspectors raised concerns about the levels of violence at HMP Leeds Prison. The report states that at one point last year ambulances were being called to the jail up to FIFTEEN TIMES A DAY because inmates had taken drugs or self-harmed. Stephen Robinson was released from Armley 17 days ago. He's spoken exclusively to BBC Radio Leeds reporter, Tracy Gee.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE INDEPENDENT MONITORING BOARD'S REPORT:
* Operational Capacity of Armley Prison is 1218 
* Increased levels of violence and self-harm compared with previous years 
* Incidence of drug and mobile phone use are both unacceptably high and are associated with sustained levels of violence and self-harm in the prison. (prison analysts deal with approximately 720 Intelligence Reports each month regarding drugs and mobile phones)
* There were examples of incidents involving some degree of violence included on almost every daily report in 2016. On average, there were 46 'violent incidents' per month and there were 4 self-inflicted deaths in custody during the reporting year. 
* During the year, there were four self-inflicted deaths in custody and between 31 and 61 self-harm incidents per month. The most common instances of self-harm were cuts (19 - 24 a month) and ligatures (8 - 27 a month). 
* The number of emergency calls related to drugs became particularly acute in the third quarter of last year with up to fifteen "blue" (emergency ambulance) calls per day being made. 
* Positive random Mandatory Drug Testing (MDT) within the prison (excluding NPS - legal highs) rose to 12.3% in December 2016 representing a worrying increase if the trend continues. 
* Officers have regularly been seen to stay beyond the end of their scheduled time and take on additional duties at short notice to provide cover
* Security grilles have been added to a large number of cell windows to counter attempts to bring in illicit goods 
* New and additional challenges in 2017 will result from the introduction of a 'No-Smoking Policy.' The IMB says
"The enforcement of a smoke free prison at the end of 2017 will be a very challenging undertaking."

Life Inside Armley Prison, Leeds

A cancer charity is warning that lives could be lost if women continue to avoid going for their cervical screenings. Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust say that smear test rates, here in West Yorkshire, have plummeted to their lowest level in 20 years. Bradford continues to be one of the worst areas, not just here but in the whole country, with 1 in 4 women skipping their test. These are your lives you're risking ladies, on a disease which IS CURABLE if you catch it early enough. BBC Radio Leeds reporter Tracy Gee has been looking in to this for us. These are your stories of heartache, survival and fear of the unknown.

1 in 4 Women Skip Their Cervical Screening Smear Test

Is the heritage of West Yorkshire's Rhubarb Triangle under threat?

Well residents in Carlton in south Leeds say it is...they've launched a Save the Rhubarb Triangle campaign to try and stop a local farmer from selling-off land to a housing developer.

The land - known locally as Strawberry Fields as they use to be grown there in the 90s - is mainly owned by E Oldroyd and Sons and it's that business that's coming under fire from campaigns for "betraying" their farming roots.

129 new-build houses could be on the cards if the plans go through.

Our reporter Tracy Gee's been out to Carlton to find out what's happening...

Is the heritage of West Yorkshire's Rhubarb Triangle under threat?

Some of you may find the stories you're about to hear distressing. We're talking about suicide in pregnancy and women talking their lives just after their babies are born; a time known as the perinatal period. BBC Radio Leeds can exclusively reveal that nearly a quarter of post-natal deaths in West Yorkshire are because new-mums have killed themselves. That statistic is higher than any other cause of death like blood loss in labour, sepsis, clotting, even Cancer! Reporter Tracy Gee has discovered this as part of a special report she's complied for Mental Health Awareness Day. Have a listen to these women, who felt they had no other option but to try and take their own lives.

SUICIDE IN PREGNANCY & POST-NATAL

On 10th February 2017, a 16 year old teenage boy was brutally stabbed to death in Harehills in Leeds. You may remember the name, Irfan Wahid. The youngster who stabbed him, who we can't name because he was only 17 himself, well he's now serving time in prison for Manslaughter. It was a tragic case, but sadly not a isolated one. Knife crime in Leeds has been a problem for years. Recorded knife crime in West Yorkshire in 2017 jumped up by 34%. That's 481 cases investigated by police - 123 more than the year before.  12 months on after Irfan's death, BBC Radio Leeds reporter Tracy Gee has been back out to Harehills to speak to the youngsters who say carrying a weapon is a normality.

*** You can hear Tracy's full report on Inside Out for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, 7.30pm on BBC One, 5th February 2018. ***

Knife Crime - "I'm not afraid to chuck one in the throat!"

Creams and lotions that we use to keep our skin feeling soft and healthy could actually be very dangerous. E45, Cetraben, Epiderm, Hydromol, even Sudocrem used on babies - these are all emollient creams we use on a daily basis and they all contain paraffin. You might think they're completely safe, but even if the paraffin content is low it can seep in to your bedding or clothing and becomes highly flammable. Sadly there have been dozens of deaths, including some here in West Yorkshire. Have a look this morning at your own products - have they got a fire warning on them? A lot haven't! A BBC investigation, lead by our reporter Tracy Gee, has revealed the devastating loss of life cause because people using them aren't aware of the dangers.

*** You can hear Tracy's full report on Inside Out for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, BBC1 at 7.30pm Monday 12th February 2018. ***

Is your skin cream a fire hazard?

You've probably heard that there was a ram-raid in Leeds City Centre on Sunday lunchtime, when two cars targeted the Rolex store on Commercial Street in broad daylight. Well for the first time the manager of that shop, Andrew Duffy has spoken out about the horror of being inside as the car tried to smash through the window. He's also criticised Leeds City Council saying it's "doing little to prevent this type of attack from happening." This is the FIFTH ram-raid in Leeds in the last year - and local businesses are not happy it's happening time and time again. We approached Leeds City Council for an interview - we were sent a statement. It says that after the Rolex raid they are "looking at how to restrict smaller vehicles from getting into the city centre... Currently there a temporary barriers to stop LARGE vehicles from getting in." BBC Radio Leeds reporter Tracy Gee has this exclusive report with targeted businesses across Leeds.

Five Ram Raids in Ten Months in Leeds City Centre

Rise in West Yorkshire Crime Stats for Children Under 10

Picture the scene... the sleepy village of Burnsall, made famous by the now in-famous WI group of ladies who made a naked calendar leading to worldwide fame! It was a pretty normal day in the village earlier (30/4/18) until Gary Barlow, Tim Firth and a whole host of leading ladies including Fern Britton and Denise Walsh arrived to celebrate the upcoming UK-wide tour of Calendar Girls The Musical. It premieres at Leeds Grand Theatre in August. BBC Radio Leeds reporter Tracy Gee headed-up to Burnsall to meet her idol, Mr Gary Barlow...

Calendar Girls the Musical UK Wide Tour

We're talking world firsts this morning and celebrating the pioneering medical procedures that have literally changed lives here in West Yorkshire. You might remember a few years ago Yorkshireman Chris King became the first person in the UK to undergo a double hand transplant at the LGI. Well now a 9 year old boy from Castleford has just become one of the first people in the world to have revolutionary surgery to help treat scoliosis.

Connor Demetrioun's (PRON: DEMI-TREE-OOoo) spine was curved at 96 degrees .... now he can stand-up straight.

Our reporter Tracy Gee's been out to meet him...

Pioneering Surgery Changes the Life of Young Boy with Scoliosis

A baby girl from Bradford - who had her limbs amputated because of meningitis - has been allowed home for the first time in 9 months.

K-eye-a Gott has been in hospital since last September - after one of the most serious cases of the disease ever seen by doctors.

It's just a brief visit for now .... in fact K-eye-a will be returning to hospital in about an hours time after spending the day in Wyke with her family.

Our reporter Tracy Gee has been with the family today as they've welcomed K-eye-a home .....
and whilst there's a lot to celebrate Paul and Vikki, her parents, are also angry after being told their daughter "isn't disabled enough" to qualify for social care support.

Tracy's got all the details, as she's spent the afternoon in Bradford...

Tracy Gee

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