Many of you will remember Carl McQuillion from his San Quentin days. Most people remember him best when he was involved in so many self-help programs, helping others, and in his cell, typing away on his typewriter doing “legal work.”
Or, in the early 1990’s, how he would spend many hours creating his amazing oil paintings. When Carl focuses on something, he really focuses. He worked hard and got himself out. Six years later, he is still just as focused.
Carl didn’t turn his back and walk away; he walked out the gates on September 11, 2003 and by October 7, 2003, he had turned right back around to reach out a hand to his fellow lifers. These days he is spending 12 to 16 hours a day working to help other lifers follow in his footsteps, and those amazing oil paintings have places of honor on the walls of his home.
Joy: There was a short time when you had stopped taking new cases. What was going on in your life then?
Carl: In 2007 I was asked to join some friends with a couple of business ventures. One was an investment company, the other was a high end men’s grooming salon with pretty young cosmetologists. In 2008 I decided that I needed to stop taking new cases so that I would have enough time to devote to my current clients and these new ventures. The investment business didn’t work out and the salon isn’t as popular as we anticipated. The economy is the prime cause of their lack of success.
But my goal with them was not to desert ship but to achieve financial independence so I wouldn’t need lifer money to help them. I again have all of my time to devote to getting lifers out of prison through the courts but not the financial independence that would have enabled me to help some of those old ISL lifers who no longer have family resources to fight for their freedom.
Joy: So Carl, when you’re not slaving away in front of your computer, what do you and your wife do with your time?
Carl: Sometimes when I’m not working, my wife and I take brief trips together. Sometimes we end up in the mountains and watch spring arrive. We took a trip to Ione not long ago. The drive is really beautiful from Sacramento over to lone and Jackson. I still think about what the guys are missing when I’m making the drive, and hope they’ll be able to take these drives, too, someday.
Joy: I’m sure your goals and your dreams have changed a lot since you got out, what goals do you have in mind now?
Carl: At 60, I suppose my own future objectives are limited, but I’d always hoped to be able to purchase a plot of countryside and build a house in an area surrounded by trees and little animals fearlessly traversing my lawn. But my original goal to force the parole board to comply with the law hasn’t changed at all. I would just like to be more rounded in my personal life too. Too much work makes it difficult sometimes to enjoy the freedom I fought so hard to achieve.
Joy: Is there any recent experiences you might like to share with us?
Carl: Well, my wife and I drove down to Los Angeles and attended a lifers’ gathering where I got to see a lot of old friends enjoying their freedom. It was held at Don Miller’s home, attended by several media persons and lawyers. It warmed my heart to see these guys, but at the same time reinforced my determination to increase those numbers.
Joy: Thanks for your time. I really appreciate that you could take the time out to talk with us about life after the walls.
Joy Richardson is a private citizen interested in lifer success stories.
