Collection Overview
Thresholds to Life (Organization)
Thresholds to Life Records
1978-1990
MS 156
2 boxes
(1.25 linear ft.)
Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst
A program developed by psychiatrist Milton Burglass for training prison inmates and offenders on probation about decision making, problem solving, and life planning, taught by volunteers in 30 locations in the United States. Includes the records of the program in Greenfield, Massachusetts, containing newsletters, minutes, by-laws, treasurer's reports, correspondence, newsclippings, brochures, and lists of volunteers, board members, and staff.
English.
Historical Note
Thresholds to Life is a training program for decision making, problem solving, and life planning taught by volunteers to prison inmates and offenders on probation in 30 locations in the United States. The programs are developed and coordinated by the non-profit organization Decisions, Inc. The curriculum was developed in 1965 by Dr. Milton Burglass, a psychiatrist who served time in a New Orleans prison for stock fraud.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The records in this collection are those of the Thresholds to Life program in Greenfield, Massachusetts, a United Way agency and include by-laws, minutes, treasurer's reports, operating manuals, membership lists, newsletters, brochures, and newsclippings.
The collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
Cite as: Thresholds to Life Records (MS 156). Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Acquired from: James Craig, 1987, 1991.
Processed by Linda Seidman, May 1991.
Search Terms
Thresholds to Life (Organization)--Archives.
Prisoners--Rehabilitation--Massachusetts--Greenfield--History--Sources.
Prisoners--Massachusetts--Greenfield--Life skills guides.
Criminals--Rehabilitation--Massachusetts--Greenfield--History--Sources.
Greenfield (Mass.)--Social conditions--Sources.
Burglass, Milton Earl, 1941-
1
1
Board of directors meetings minutes
1983-1986
1
2
Mailings to members
1
3
Brochures and publicity
1
4
Newsletter
1983 (Sept.)
Accretion:
2
1
By-laws
1977
2
2
Minutes (partial)
1979-1989
2
3
Treasurer's reports
1989
2
4
Board members and staff
1982-1990
2
5
Correspondence, memos
1978-1982
2
6
Administrative records
2
7
Lists of volunteers
2
8
Mailings to members and volunteers
1979-1986
2
9
Training calendars, info.
2
10
Project P.R.I.D.E.
1981-1983
2
11
UMass Office of Internships
2
12
Newsletters
1987-1989
2
13
Newsclips, press releases
1979-1990
2
14
Brochures, flyers
1983-1987, n.d.
2
15
McAuliffe, Garrett. "Measuring the Outcomes of a Community College Career Decision-making Course."
1984
2
16
Article on drug abuse
2
17
Decisions manual, third revision
2
18
Thresholds manual
1972
2
19
Decisions coursebook
1978
2
20
Thresholds operating manual
1978?
2
21
Manuals, etc. from related projects