Matthew Hahn
@matthewhahn.com
Former prisoner. Dharma student. Union tradesman. Program facilitator for Mindful Prisons & Boundless Freedom Project. 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.
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.
I was a burglar who discovered a horrific sex crime against a child and helped the police catch the man.
My sentence was more than three times longer than Diddy’s.
My sentence was more than three times longer than Diddy’s.
NEW YORK (AP) — Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sentenced to 4 years and 2 months in prison in case involving sex workers, violence and ‘freak-offs’.
October 3, 2025 at 10:46 PM
I was a burglar who discovered a horrific sex crime against a child and helped the police catch the man.
My sentence was more than three times longer than Diddy’s.
My sentence was more than three times longer than Diddy’s.
As I’m working through the process of getting a new citizenship, I was just informed that in the European Union “moving and living with your spouse is a human right” and, thus, my wife’s entry and residency there is guaranteed.
I mean, that’s as it should be.
I mean, that’s as it should be.
October 2, 2025 at 6:42 PM
As I’m working through the process of getting a new citizenship, I was just informed that in the European Union “moving and living with your spouse is a human right” and, thus, my wife’s entry and residency there is guaranteed.
I mean, that’s as it should be.
I mean, that’s as it should be.
I really appreciated when Ta l-Nehisi Coates asked Klein, “But was silence not an option?”
This.
If there is one skill I’ve had to learn as a white dude, it’s knowing when it’s time to shut up or sit something out. I’m imperfect, of course, but getting better.
This.
If there is one skill I’ve had to learn as a white dude, it’s knowing when it’s time to shut up or sit something out. I’m imperfect, of course, but getting better.
October 2, 2025 at 2:00 AM
I really appreciated when Ta l-Nehisi Coates asked Klein, “But was silence not an option?”
This.
If there is one skill I’ve had to learn as a white dude, it’s knowing when it’s time to shut up or sit something out. I’m imperfect, of course, but getting better.
This.
If there is one skill I’ve had to learn as a white dude, it’s knowing when it’s time to shut up or sit something out. I’m imperfect, of course, but getting better.
Eavesdropping on a conversation at work.
A: “My family in Mexico is hella rich”.
B: “There aren’t any rich people in Mexico, everyone’s poor.”
A: “There are lots of rich people in Mexico.”
B: “Nope. You’re trippin.”
…
A: “My family in Mexico is hella rich”.
B: “There aren’t any rich people in Mexico, everyone’s poor.”
A: “There are lots of rich people in Mexico.”
B: “Nope. You’re trippin.”
…
October 1, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Eavesdropping on a conversation at work.
A: “My family in Mexico is hella rich”.
B: “There aren’t any rich people in Mexico, everyone’s poor.”
A: “There are lots of rich people in Mexico.”
B: “Nope. You’re trippin.”
…
A: “My family in Mexico is hella rich”.
B: “There aren’t any rich people in Mexico, everyone’s poor.”
A: “There are lots of rich people in Mexico.”
B: “Nope. You’re trippin.”
…
To be clear, 60% of the jury thought Comey should go to trial for obstruction charges and 100% of the jury thought Trump sexually abused Jean Carrill.
September 27, 2025 at 7:40 PM
To be clear, 60% of the jury thought Comey should go to trial for obstruction charges and 100% of the jury thought Trump sexually abused Jean Carrill.
In prison, I received a book in the mail by Murray Bookchin, called "Social Ecology and Communalism".
The prison guard, a Christian who poked fun at my leftist leanings, said, "So you're a communist?"
"It says communalism, not communism."
"Oh," he said. "Haha".
The prison guard, a Christian who poked fun at my leftist leanings, said, "So you're a communist?"
"It says communalism, not communism."
"Oh," he said. "Haha".
September 27, 2025 at 3:43 PM
In prison, I received a book in the mail by Murray Bookchin, called "Social Ecology and Communalism".
The prison guard, a Christian who poked fun at my leftist leanings, said, "So you're a communist?"
"It says communalism, not communism."
"Oh," he said. "Haha".
The prison guard, a Christian who poked fun at my leftist leanings, said, "So you're a communist?"
"It says communalism, not communism."
"Oh," he said. "Haha".
When I was in prison, I read Assata’s autobiography and had to put a book cover on it so the other white people didn’t see me reading it. Hers was the first of many such books that required secrecy. George Jackson, Malcolm X, James Baldwin, etc.
September 27, 2025 at 1:50 AM
When I was in prison, I read Assata’s autobiography and had to put a book cover on it so the other white people didn’t see me reading it. Hers was the first of many such books that required secrecy. George Jackson, Malcolm X, James Baldwin, etc.
Let's make this a little less passive:
Israel killed four (more) journalists.
Israel killed four (more) journalists.
Anas al-Sharif: Four Al Jazeera journalists killed in Israeli strike near Al-Shifa hospital
Al Jazeera had condemned a "campaign of incitement" by the IDF against its reporters, but the military claims one of the journalists was part of Hamas.
www.bbc.com
August 10, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Let's make this a little less passive:
Israel killed four (more) journalists.
Israel killed four (more) journalists.
The Weather Underground would like a word.
August 10, 2025 at 12:41 AM
The Weather Underground would like a word.
So, I made the mistake of scheduling a 2-hr Zoom call when I shall be drinking that colonoscopy liquid.
This will prove to be very interesting.
This will prove to be very interesting.
August 7, 2025 at 12:02 AM
So, I made the mistake of scheduling a 2-hr Zoom call when I shall be drinking that colonoscopy liquid.
This will prove to be very interesting.
This will prove to be very interesting.
Reposted by Matthew Hahn
Anywho, not fighting with people on social media really does help your skin and a side effect is that you have more mental and spiritual space to devote to actual action.
July 31, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Anywho, not fighting with people on social media really does help your skin and a side effect is that you have more mental and spiritual space to devote to actual action.
My relationship to nudity following prison has a lot to do with desensitization.
We were strip searched at arrest.
We were strip searched at work every day.
We were strip searched at every visit.
We were strip searched when they searched our cells.
We were strip searched at arrest.
We were strip searched at work every day.
We were strip searched at every visit.
We were strip searched when they searched our cells.
July 31, 2025 at 1:24 AM
My relationship to nudity following prison has a lot to do with desensitization.
We were strip searched at arrest.
We were strip searched at work every day.
We were strip searched at every visit.
We were strip searched when they searched our cells.
We were strip searched at arrest.
We were strip searched at work every day.
We were strip searched at every visit.
We were strip searched when they searched our cells.
“This week’s episode [of] Flightless Bird explores incarcerated firefighters, talking to former inmate Matthew Hahn who signed up to fight fires when he was serving time..."
Flightless Bird - Prison Firefighters with Matthew Hahn
Flightless Bird explores incarcerated firefighters, talking to former inmate Matthew Hahn who signed up to fight fires when he was serving time.
matthewhahn.com
July 22, 2025 at 12:26 AM
“This week’s episode [of] Flightless Bird explores incarcerated firefighters, talking to former inmate Matthew Hahn who signed up to fight fires when he was serving time..."
Holy smokes. The book proposal is finished. As the least the rough copy is. Forty pages. Feels like a moment.
July 13, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Holy smokes. The book proposal is finished. As the least the rough copy is. Forty pages. Feels like a moment.
Sworn in. Proud to be of service to the members of IBEW Local 617.
July 9, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Sworn in. Proud to be of service to the members of IBEW Local 617.
On this week’s episode of Flightless Bird with @davidfarrier.bsky.social we talk about fighting fires in prison, where rehabilitation happens behind the walls, and some of my story. Check it out wherever you get your podcasts.
July 5, 2025 at 5:07 PM
On this week’s episode of Flightless Bird with @davidfarrier.bsky.social we talk about fighting fires in prison, where rehabilitation happens behind the walls, and some of my story. Check it out wherever you get your podcasts.
I don’t know what’s more wild:
- getting propaganda emails from the Social Security Administration, or
- having to block the U.S. Department of Justice on Facebook
- getting propaganda emails from the Social Security Administration, or
- having to block the U.S. Department of Justice on Facebook
July 5, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I don’t know what’s more wild:
- getting propaganda emails from the Social Security Administration, or
- having to block the U.S. Department of Justice on Facebook
- getting propaganda emails from the Social Security Administration, or
- having to block the U.S. Department of Justice on Facebook
“I’m not having sex with a couch, I’m having sex with its cushions” - JD Vance, probably
June 22, 2025 at 6:18 PM
“I’m not having sex with a couch, I’m having sex with its cushions” - JD Vance, probably
Just coming back from a retreat.
Well fuck.
Well fuck.
June 22, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Just coming back from a retreat.
Well fuck.
Well fuck.
A photo from Inauguration Day, 2017. Journalists curating the spectacle of a protest.
When I see images of Los Angeles, I try to remember that none of the uninteresting stuff is being shown to me.
When I see images of Los Angeles, I try to remember that none of the uninteresting stuff is being shown to me.
June 11, 2025 at 4:09 PM
A photo from Inauguration Day, 2017. Journalists curating the spectacle of a protest.
When I see images of Los Angeles, I try to remember that none of the uninteresting stuff is being shown to me.
When I see images of Los Angeles, I try to remember that none of the uninteresting stuff is being shown to me.
So many people get angry about property destruction yet remain silent about ripping families apart. Silent about dead children. Silent about victims of police brutality.
Perhaps, if folks held humans in higher regard, others wouldn't have to destroy property to get their attention.
Perhaps, if folks held humans in higher regard, others wouldn't have to destroy property to get their attention.
June 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
So many people get angry about property destruction yet remain silent about ripping families apart. Silent about dead children. Silent about victims of police brutality.
Perhaps, if folks held humans in higher regard, others wouldn't have to destroy property to get their attention.
Perhaps, if folks held humans in higher regard, others wouldn't have to destroy property to get their attention.
I have been elected to the Executive Board of IBEW Local 617. Honored to be of service to my fellows in organized labor.
June 6, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I have been elected to the Executive Board of IBEW Local 617. Honored to be of service to my fellows in organized labor.
It brings me great joy to mentor apprentices and then watch them become journeymen. This man is something special. The future is in good hands.
June 1, 2025 at 4:05 PM
It brings me great joy to mentor apprentices and then watch them become journeymen. This man is something special. The future is in good hands.