About-Us | Thresholds of Chester County

About Us

Our Mission

Thresholds of Chester County is a non-profit organization that teaches decision making skills to interested inmates by developing and maintaining a group of volunteers. Through this program, Thresholds builds a constructive relationship between the Chester County Prison, the Chester County Youth Center and the Community.

Our Program

Thresholds teaches a six-step decision-making program to interested inmates in the Chester County Prison located in Pocopson, near West Chester, Pennsylvania. Through the use of a workbook, trained volunteers from the community teach inmates how to define their situation, set goals, evaluate possibilities for reaching their goals, and how to make use of techniques to stay focused until their goals are achieved. Thresholds is based on the belief that the image a person holds of him/herself in relation to society strongly influences his/her actions. By learning to problem solve and make better decisions, a person can raise their self-esteem. For the inmate, this enables him or her to be a more productive individual upon returning to the community. Our program is open to men and women at the Chester County Prison and Correction Center. We also teach Thresholds at the Youth Center to those young people either incarcerated or sheltered .

Thresholds History

Mickey Burglass

The Thresholds program was developed by Mickey Burglass, himself a former inmate at a Lousiana prison. While working with inmates at the prison, Burglass recognized the connection between the ability to make decisions and being successful in one’s life.After being released he continued his education, and developed the Thresholds program as part of his graduate studies at Harvard University. He later taught Thresholds in New England and Pennsylvania, where by 1980 Thresholds of Chester County was established. Mickey now holds degrees in public health, theology, psychology, and medicine.

Thresholds History

The Thresholds program was developed by Mickey Burglass, himself a former inmate in Lousiana. While working with inmates in the prison, Mickey recognized the connection between the ability to make decisions and being successful in ones life.
After being released, Burglass continued his education and developed the Thresholds program as part of his graduate studies at Harvard University. He later taught Thresholds in New England, and Pennsylvania, where by 1980 Thresholds of Chester County was established. Mickey now holds degrees in public health, theology, psychology, and medicine.

Teaching Method

Thresholds is a two part format :

In a group session, the volunteer teacher presents to the class one of the six steps to good decisions.

In a one-on-one with the inmate, a volunteer will work between group sessions, to clarify and make personal the elements in making decisions. Inmates decide on a goal that is important to them, and use the decisional process with their volunteer in reaching that goal.