He was released after serving more than 18 years in prison in 2011. Echols served on death row and was locked down for 23 hours a day. He relocated to Salem, Massachusetts with his wife that he married while in prison. His memoir Almost Home: My Life Story Vol. 1 was published in 2005 while he was still serving his time in prison. He released an album with Michale Graves of The Misfits titled Illusions in 2007 and co-wrote the lyrics to a Pearl Jam song in 2006.