Matthew Hahn
@matthewhahn.com
Former prisoner. Dharma student. Union tradesman. Dharma leader at Spirit Rock, Insight Meditation Center, & San Jose Insight. Sober since 2005. Hobbyist photographer. San Jose, CA.
Kicked a divot out of Stalin’s grave.
https://linktr.ee/MatthewHahn
Kicked a divot out of Stalin’s grave.
https://linktr.ee/MatthewHahn
Pinned
Matthew Hahn
@matthewhahn.com
· Jan 15
I am a former incarcerated firefighter. I served in a California fire camp from 2009 to 2012.
Misinformation is afire on the internet, so here are facts about the prison firefighter program, all in one place.
A thread.
Misinformation is afire on the internet, so here are facts about the prison firefighter program, all in one place.
A thread.
Seventeen years ago today, I was in prison and in Santa Barbara, battling the Jesusita Fire as an incarcerated wildland firefighter. Pictured is myself, an unknown free firefighter, and my sawyer (Mando Perez, who is a firefighter today, as a free man).
June 8, 2026 at 12:23 AM
Seventeen years ago today, I was in prison and in Santa Barbara, battling the Jesusita Fire as an incarcerated wildland firefighter. Pictured is myself, an unknown free firefighter, and my sawyer (Mando Perez, who is a firefighter today, as a free man).
She's been there for the good times, and stayed there for the bad times. Happy Mother's Day to the woman who's always had my back. Pictured: Folsom State Prison, 2007.
May 10, 2026 at 3:29 PM
She's been there for the good times, and stayed there for the bad times. Happy Mother's Day to the woman who's always had my back. Pictured: Folsom State Prison, 2007.
Career opportunity! The apprenticeship application window for inside wiremen (general electrician) in San Mateo County’s IBEW 617 opens on June 1st.
First year apprentices start at $30.10/hr & scale up to journeyman wage ($88/hr) over the course of the 5-year apprenticeship.
First year apprentices start at $30.10/hr & scale up to journeyman wage ($88/hr) over the course of the 5-year apprenticeship.
May 2, 2026 at 11:06 PM
Career opportunity! The apprenticeship application window for inside wiremen (general electrician) in San Mateo County’s IBEW 617 opens on June 1st.
First year apprentices start at $30.10/hr & scale up to journeyman wage ($88/hr) over the course of the 5-year apprenticeship.
First year apprentices start at $30.10/hr & scale up to journeyman wage ($88/hr) over the course of the 5-year apprenticeship.
I started sharing my story with high school students less than two months after coming home from prison. It was terrifying for me. I had yet to work through my prison-trauma and the intense fear of vulnerability with people.
This chair was my friend.
This chair was my friend.
March 17, 2026 at 4:40 PM
I started sharing my story with high school students less than two months after coming home from prison. It was terrifying for me. I had yet to work through my prison-trauma and the intense fear of vulnerability with people.
This chair was my friend.
This chair was my friend.
SFO STRIKE UPDATE: IBEW 617 Airtrain workers are returning to work on Friday, March 13 with a temporary contract extension in place (through March 31).
Conditions of current agreement:
- all economic increases from a new agreement will be retroactive to March 1st
- cont’d …
Conditions of current agreement:
- all economic increases from a new agreement will be retroactive to March 1st
- cont’d …
IBEW Local 617 Airtrain workers are striking at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Please support our efforts in protesting unfair labor practices and negotiating a fair contract.
March 13, 2026 at 5:53 PM
SFO STRIKE UPDATE: IBEW 617 Airtrain workers are returning to work on Friday, March 13 with a temporary contract extension in place (through March 31).
Conditions of current agreement:
- all economic increases from a new agreement will be retroactive to March 1st
- cont’d …
Conditions of current agreement:
- all economic increases from a new agreement will be retroactive to March 1st
- cont’d …
IBEW Local 617 Airtrain workers are striking at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Please support our efforts in protesting unfair labor practices and negotiating a fair contract.
March 11, 2026 at 1:42 AM
IBEW Local 617 Airtrain workers are striking at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Please support our efforts in protesting unfair labor practices and negotiating a fair contract.
This was the love that saved my life.
March 2, 2026 at 12:54 AM
This was the love that saved my life.
Kaiser healthcare workers are striking. 31,000 people strong. #kaiser #healthcare #strike #unionstrong #patients
February 9, 2026 at 12:42 AM
Kaiser healthcare workers are striking. 31,000 people strong. #kaiser #healthcare #strike #unionstrong #patients
Ichi-go ichi-e. This particular constellation of delightful people had its moment yesterday, never to gather in this particular way ever again.
I really love my people. Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leaders, January 2026.
I really love my people. Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leaders, January 2026.
January 18, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Ichi-go ichi-e. This particular constellation of delightful people had its moment yesterday, never to gather in this particular way ever again.
I really love my people. Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leaders, January 2026.
I really love my people. Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leaders, January 2026.
Jacob Frey, Minneapolis Mayor: “To ICE - get the fuck out of Minneapolis”.
The rest of us: “To ICE - get the fuck out of our country”.
The rest of us: “To ICE - get the fuck out of our country”.
January 8, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Jacob Frey, Minneapolis Mayor: “To ICE - get the fuck out of Minneapolis”.
The rest of us: “To ICE - get the fuck out of our country”.
The rest of us: “To ICE - get the fuck out of our country”.
Reposted by Matthew Hahn
The cynics think today's attack on Venezuela is staged and transactional. Maduro is allied with Putin, but in 2019 Putin offered Trump a swap: Russia cedes Venezuela and gets Ukraine. (See Fiona Hill's testimony in Trump's first impeachment trial, h/t @davetroy.com). Even Maduro may be in on it. 2/
January 3, 2026 at 4:22 PM
The cynics think today's attack on Venezuela is staged and transactional. Maduro is allied with Putin, but in 2019 Putin offered Trump a swap: Russia cedes Venezuela and gets Ukraine. (See Fiona Hill's testimony in Trump's first impeachment trial, h/t @davetroy.com). Even Maduro may be in on it. 2/
Reposted by Matthew Hahn
I was mentored by men who had murdered. Let me tell you about one of them.
A thread in honor of Herb Blake.
A thread in honor of Herb Blake.
January 2, 2026 at 1:25 AM
I was mentored by men who had murdered. Let me tell you about one of them.
A thread in honor of Herb Blake.
A thread in honor of Herb Blake.
I was mentored by men who had murdered. Let me tell you about one of them.
A thread in honor of Herb Blake.
A thread in honor of Herb Blake.
January 2, 2026 at 1:25 AM
I was mentored by men who had murdered. Let me tell you about one of them.
A thread in honor of Herb Blake.
A thread in honor of Herb Blake.
Per tradition, here is my annual book list - 2025 edition. Book titles followed with an asterisk were repeat reads. Forty-five books!
1. Unhindered: A Mindful Path Through the Five Hindrances - Gil Fronsdal *
2. Night Sky with Exit Wounds - Ocean Vuong @oceanvu
A thread, of course...
1. Unhindered: A Mindful Path Through the Five Hindrances - Gil Fronsdal *
2. Night Sky with Exit Wounds - Ocean Vuong @oceanvu
A thread, of course...
December 31, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Per tradition, here is my annual book list - 2025 edition. Book titles followed with an asterisk were repeat reads. Forty-five books!
1. Unhindered: A Mindful Path Through the Five Hindrances - Gil Fronsdal *
2. Night Sky with Exit Wounds - Ocean Vuong @oceanvu
A thread, of course...
1. Unhindered: A Mindful Path Through the Five Hindrances - Gil Fronsdal *
2. Night Sky with Exit Wounds - Ocean Vuong @oceanvu
A thread, of course...
While I was in prison, a correctional officer fired live rounds into a crowd of skinheads. I was nearly struck by a bullet.
A thread.
A thread.
December 30, 2025 at 1:49 AM
While I was in prison, a correctional officer fired live rounds into a crowd of skinheads. I was nearly struck by a bullet.
A thread.
A thread.
Admiring the Clark-Hahn-Jerez Family Christmas Tree while wishing a Merry Christmas from our home to yours.
In this turbulent world, there is still much to be grateful for and many of you are part of that.
In this turbulent world, there is still much to be grateful for and many of you are part of that.
December 25, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Admiring the Clark-Hahn-Jerez Family Christmas Tree while wishing a Merry Christmas from our home to yours.
In this turbulent world, there is still much to be grateful for and many of you are part of that.
In this turbulent world, there is still much to be grateful for and many of you are part of that.
While I was in prison, I was the food procurement clerk. It was my job to work with the first cook to design the daily food menu and then make sure the men were fed on a budget of $2.60 per person per day.
How I helped make the best Christmas prison meal, a thread.
How I helped make the best Christmas prison meal, a thread.
December 24, 2025 at 11:27 PM
While I was in prison, I was the food procurement clerk. It was my job to work with the first cook to design the daily food menu and then make sure the men were fed on a budget of $2.60 per person per day.
How I helped make the best Christmas prison meal, a thread.
How I helped make the best Christmas prison meal, a thread.
Holiday sweater ✅
Festive pajamas ✅
11 days off work ✅
Festive pajamas ✅
11 days off work ✅
December 21, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Holiday sweater ✅
Festive pajamas ✅
11 days off work ✅
Festive pajamas ✅
11 days off work ✅
While I was in San Quentin last weekend, we honored a man who was paroling. Some reflections.
.
The hindrances, leaving prison, and the Zen ox herding pictures.
.
The hindrances, leaving prison, and the Zen ox herding pictures.
Returning To The Market From Prison
YouTube video by Matthew Hahn
youtu.be
December 16, 2025 at 2:49 AM
While I was in San Quentin last weekend, we honored a man who was paroling. Some reflections.
.
The hindrances, leaving prison, and the Zen ox herding pictures.
.
The hindrances, leaving prison, and the Zen ox herding pictures.
Nothing quite like having vertigo but still going to the holiday party because I’m Santa.
December 14, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Nothing quite like having vertigo but still going to the holiday party because I’m Santa.
Reposted by Matthew Hahn
I was fortunate enough to represent IBEW Local 617 at Defy Ventures’ Deep Dive Business Coaching Day in CTF Soledad this month.
Along with Senator Josh Becker and other volunteers, we joined incarcerated folks for a day of mock interviews, business planning, and community building.
Along with Senator Josh Becker and other volunteers, we joined incarcerated folks for a day of mock interviews, business planning, and community building.
December 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM
I was fortunate enough to represent IBEW Local 617 at Defy Ventures’ Deep Dive Business Coaching Day in CTF Soledad this month.
Along with Senator Josh Becker and other volunteers, we joined incarcerated folks for a day of mock interviews, business planning, and community building.
Along with Senator Josh Becker and other volunteers, we joined incarcerated folks for a day of mock interviews, business planning, and community building.
I was fortunate enough to represent IBEW Local 617 at Defy Ventures’ Deep Dive Business Coaching Day in CTF Soledad this month.
Along with Senator Josh Becker and other volunteers, we joined incarcerated folks for a day of mock interviews, business planning, and community building.
Along with Senator Josh Becker and other volunteers, we joined incarcerated folks for a day of mock interviews, business planning, and community building.
December 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM
I was fortunate enough to represent IBEW Local 617 at Defy Ventures’ Deep Dive Business Coaching Day in CTF Soledad this month.
Along with Senator Josh Becker and other volunteers, we joined incarcerated folks for a day of mock interviews, business planning, and community building.
Along with Senator Josh Becker and other volunteers, we joined incarcerated folks for a day of mock interviews, business planning, and community building.
A misty evening at San Quentin, where the Buddhadharma Sangha held its celebration of the Buddha’s enlightenment. We honored transformed lives, community, and liberation.
December 8, 2025 at 3:24 PM
A misty evening at San Quentin, where the Buddhadharma Sangha held its celebration of the Buddha’s enlightenment. We honored transformed lives, community, and liberation.
At the union hall phone banking for Yes on Prop 50. First time for everything.
October 22, 2025 at 12:58 AM
At the union hall phone banking for Yes on Prop 50. First time for everything.
I was once a person who wanted to do good but harmed instead. I was once a person who wanted to do good but did not because I feared the personal consequences.
I think a lot of people struggle with pragmatism on one hand and leading an ethical life with integrity on the other.
I think a lot of people struggle with pragmatism on one hand and leading an ethical life with integrity on the other.
I'm sorry but the more I think about it the more bothered I am about this whole concept of choosing whether or not you can be a good person is it different for other people do you just get to choose whether you're flexible uncertain things how can you live that way?
October 5, 2025 at 2:22 PM
I was once a person who wanted to do good but harmed instead. I was once a person who wanted to do good but did not because I feared the personal consequences.
I think a lot of people struggle with pragmatism on one hand and leading an ethical life with integrity on the other.
I think a lot of people struggle with pragmatism on one hand and leading an ethical life with integrity on the other.