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Neuse
prison has new superintendent
 GOLDSBORO
Ennis Oates is the new superintendent of Neuse Correctional
Institution, an 816-bed minimum custody prison.
Neuse
Correctional is the point of entry into the prison system for adult male
misdemeanant offenders from all counties. It also processes felons with
sentences of less than 24 months. The prison, with a staff of 283, has
512 beds designated for inmates going through the diagnostic process.
Succeeding
the retired John Crawford, Oates was previously superintendent at
New
Hanover
Correctional
Center in Wilmington.
Oates began his career with the Department of Correction as a
correctional officer at Central Prison in
Raleigh
in 1975. After transferring to
Wayne
Correctional
Center
in 1979, he advanced through the ranks. Oates was promoted to sergeant
at New
Hanover
Correctional
Center
in 1981, became a lieutenant at Eastern Correctional Institution in
February 1983 and was promoted to assistant superintendent at New
Hanover in June 1983. He moved up again in 2002 to superintendent at Wayne Correctional
Center and returned to New
Hanover as superintendent in 2003.
As the new superintendent of Neuse,
Oates looks forward to the challenge of managing the processing center.
The new position is an exciting prospect, Oates said. I do
have mixed emotions about leaving New Hanover and the great group of
people on the staff there. At the same time, I appreciate Secretary
[Theodis] Beck having the confidence in me to appoint me to Neuse
Correctional Institution.
I look forward to joining the staff there, and I am committed to
working hard to earn the respect of the staff and the inmates. I know
that it will be a challenge, but if I can be an example and some young
kid in Wayne or Johnston counties is inspired and learns that with hard
work and sacrifice they to can be successful, it will be well worth it.
Reared in Wayne and Johnston counties, Oates is a 1971 graduate of Smithfield Selma
Senior High School. He is
a U.S. Army veteran and has completed the state's Certified Public
Managers program, with an emphasis in budget and management.
Oates and his wife, Edna, have two children and reside in Wilmington. They are active members of Enoch
Chapel
Missionary
Baptist
Church. He is also active
in civic and community service and has worked with youths serving as a
mediator for at risk young people and participating in the One-On-One
program.
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Editors: A copy of the photo is available by calling 919-716-3700.
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