Elisabeth Lyons (From Hard Time Series)

I am Elisabeth Lyons, but as most people I am around usually call me Lyons. I am 28 years old and I am a corrections officer at the Plains Correctional Facility, which is a max and medium security prison. I am an unusual corrections officer for two reasons. The first being that I am a woman, the second being is that I prefer working with guys although I am assigned one women's block and one men's.1

I'm one fourth Cree Indian with dark hair and grey eyes. I was nicknamed the Tounge at my last prison because I am fairly muscular with my 5'10" 155 pound frame. I have to be strong to deal with most of the inmates I work with, at least for the first few weeks. I have been called a beauty before, even though more often than not, I'm told a girl with muscle isn't very pretty.2

I was born in the town of Cordell, Kansas which is where the Plains Correctional Facility is. My dad was the warden there for 17 years, so I pretty much grew up in a prison for most of my life. I have four older brothers, and was quite the tomboy growing up. I was even on the football team in middle school as a punter. I never knew my mother. She died in childbirth from complications. I make it no secret that I grew up in the church. I'll tell you about it, but I'm not going to force you to believe me, or bash you, or beat you over the head with it. You've got yours and I've got mine. 3

I was the only one in my family to follow in the footsteps of my father. My brothers all pursued careers in business or marketing, while I went on to major in Criminal Justice at Wichita State University. I've always had a special place in my heart for the prisoners. 4

"If I'm doing my job right, you're all going to leave here with better lives. If I see you back here, then I have failed you..." This is what I tell each inmate that I come into contact with. It's my goal to help them achieve better lives. Nothing is more disappointing to me than a person back in jail committing the same crime that got them there in the first place. I try to show them decency and respect, and I try to give them a chance and show them I care, something that they never get outside the razor wire.5

When I'm not working, I dabble in photography. I also enjoy going on storm chases when I can. Not only do I get the adrenaline rush, but I get some amazing pictures while I'm at it. Kansas has more to offer than just a flat landscape. At home i'm content to curl up with a favorite book and a bowl of dry mini wheats. It's my ideal unwind from work activity. I'm not really big into TV, but I do have 2 or three shows that I enjoy watching, and I love movies.6

I absolutely dislike feet. Feet are disgusting to me. Can't stand them. Other than that, I don't have too much I dislike. Except for maybe brussels sprouts.... 7

While working at my last prison I met Callum Friesen, who was a cop with the local police department. We had a great four year romance that ended up in an engagement. Unfortunately the day of our wedding he was on duty and was killed by a driver stopped for driving while under the influence of meth. I had gotten the call that he was in the hospital four hours before the wedding. He died in the hospital that day, at the exact time the ceremony would have started. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about him and I still wear the ring he gave me on a chain around my neck.8

My life has changed since working at PCF, it's actually been more exciting than I could have ever dreamed, but I'm not about to spill all of that to you here, you are just going to have to read about my experiences at PCF in my other stories.9