Your article that deals with a book written by former
inmate Jimmy Lerner, You Got Nothing Coming, has me
concerned. The book and the article depict the NNCC as a
violent institution and the inmates housed here as animals.
What Jimmy Lerner fails to state in his book is that this is a
low/medium prison that houses medical and mental health
prisoners as well as some fish (new inmates). Troublemakers
are quickly transferred to other institutions.
Mr. Lerner would lead people who read his book to believe
that there are no programs here for the inmates and that the
inmates just kick rocks. Well, that is far from the truth.
There are many programs for inmates, such as Alcoholics
Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, the drug program that is
sponsored by Dr. Karen Gedney. There is an anger management
program, and inmates have the opportunity to go back to school
to get their high school diploma or GED.
Mr. Lerner would like the general public to believe that he
survived a war zone and that this institution is a hardcore
prison, when in fact, it's not. The days of hardcore prisons
are long gone. Most of the inmates here are doing their best
to better themselves so that they can return home to their
families.
Mr. Lerner's book is his fantasy. All of the violence that
allegedly took place while he was here is untrue. As for Mr.
Lerner being called O.G. for Original Gangster, well, I think
that he made a mistake because that is not a term used here.
If it was, I'm sure that they meant Original Goof. I knew Mr.
Lerner when he was here, and he would not have survived to
write his fantasy book in a hardcore prison.
I'm concerned that your readers will get the wrong
impression of inmates and that may make it harder for inmates
to make parole or a pardon. Sit back and look at it from our
perspective. If society reads the article and the book, they
will have the impression that we are very violent people and
that we should never be released back into the free world.
Joseph M. Carpino
Northern Nevada Correctional Center
At their mercy
A few months ago, my finances were
nonexistent and the past due portion of my power bill was
$585. Concurrently, I made payment arrangements of $100 every
two weeks and received help through the SAFE program, for
which I'm thankful. Sierra Pacific said I'd need to make
arrangements as well on the current bill. Hello. The $100
every two weeks was my only resource. Well, despite being a
customer for 31 years and never having my power turned off,
despite making the two payments per agreement on time, despite
help from SAFE, my power was turned off. Fine. I'll go
somewhere else for my power. Oh, that's right. It's a monopoly
and we're at its mercy because there's nowhere else to go.
My daughter called to talk with them, plead with them, as
there were six children living in the home, including an
infant and a toddler who were both ill. The weather at the
time was freezing. Sierra Pacific's response: "Bundle them
up!"
More hearings are slated, I see, regarding the power
company's rate increases. Gee, how would I vote? Let me think.
Vickie Vera
Sparks
Brothels love cabbies
Re "Taxi Trouble" [RN&R
News, April 11]:
I was shocked and saddened after reading "Taxi Trouble." I
had no idea that our taxi drivers were facing such tough times
and plunging revenues. As owner of the BunnyRanch in Carson
City, I have always endeavored to reward and reciprocate taxi
drivers who supply us (and all the brothels, for that matter)
with a steady stream of customers. Here at the BunnyRanch
we've always considered these ladies and gentlemen part of our
family and have always extended to them the fullest portion of
our hospitality. Apparently other businesses, who also derive
profit from visitors, haven't been as caring or conscious and
don't fully appreciate the added value drivers bring to a
myriad of local establishments. It is with this in mind that
the BunnyRanch is planning a "Taxi Driver Appreciation Night"
at a Bully's Sports Bar in the near future. All you drivers
and all of you who recognize their significant value, stay
tuned for details. My only quandary: Who's going to drive the
drivers home that night?!
Dennis Hof
Moonlite BunnyRanch owner
