Another thought. You say in your OP: "the 5.8.8 version doesn't support threads->exit().". You also say you have similar code working elsewhere.

threads is a cpan module. Why not simply upgrade to a newer version of that module that does support threads->exit?

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In reply to Re^3: Perl 5.8.8 threads, clean exit by BrowserUk
in thread Perl 5.8.8 threads, clean exit by T_I

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