Mount Olive Correctional Complex
Mount Olive Correctional Complex (MOCC) is the male maximum security prison for the state of West Virginia, USA. Its security level is equal to the federal level 5. MOCC is an operational unit of the West Virginia Division of Corrections.
Built as a replacement for the Civil War-era West Virginia State Penitentiary at Moundsville, Mount Olive Correctional Complex (MOCC) is located seven (7) miles east of Montgomery on Cannelton Hollow Road in Fayette County. MOCC is the state's only maximum-security correctional facility and has a current capacity of 1,030 inmates. MOCC houses the most violent, high-risk, dangerous and disruptive inmates in the state and has the most diverse inmate population in the state; consisting of general population, punitive segregation, administrative segregation, intake, special management, mental health, acute medical, and work camp inmates.
Construction of MOCC began in the spring of 1991 and was completed in December 1994. The facility was dedicated on December 12, 1994 and received it first inmates on February 14, 1995. Inmate transfers were completed on March 27, 1995 and the West Virginia Penitentiary was closed. Total construction costs for MOCC were $61.8 million.
The facility is encompassed by a secure perimeter fence approximately one (1) mile long. Of the 120 acre site, approximately 80 acres are inside the secure perimeter. Extensive use is made of both electronic and manual security controls. MOCC operates as a small town, having its own post office and ZIP code, power plant, electrical sub-station, fuel depot, water supply, central warehouse, maintenance garage, hospital and medical clinic, gymnasium, chapel, library, classrooms, courtroom, food service and laundry facilities.
Professionals through contractual agreements provide medical, dental, mental health and food services. The West Virginia Department of Education provides many educational and vocational programs for the inmate population such as ABE/GED, Transition Skills, Business Education, Vocational Agriculture, Welding and Culinary Arts. An Apprenticeship Program in Food Service is also available. Limited college courses for Associate’s Degrees are also available through BridgeValley Community & Technical College.
In partnership with Catalyst Ministries, Appalachian Bible College operates an on-site extension campus at MOCC which focuses on moral rehabilitation and offers a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Bible & Theology and allows inmates to be ordained as ministers. This program is unique to all but two prisons in the United States. Additional information regarding this program can be found at www.catalystministries.com/bible-colleges.php.
Selected inmates at MOCC can participate in a paws4prisons™ program which teaches inmates to train various types of assistance dogs for and in support of the paws4people™ foundation. The program inmates first learn how to train “shelter-rescue dogs” and then progress to training highly-trained assistance dogs. Additional information regarding this program can be found at www.paws4people.org/our-programs/paws4prisons/.
West Virginia Correctional Industries operates an engraving shop, sign shop, welding/metal shop and soap/laundry/janitorial supply factory at MOCC. Road signs for the West Virginia Division of Highways, campsite products for West Virginia State Parks & Forests and license plates for the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles are also manufactured by Correctional Industries at MOCC. Information regarding the full line of Correctional Industries products can be found at www.wvcorrectionalindustries.com.
In July 2007, MOCC opened a 48-bed minimum-security Inmate Work Camp outside of the secure perimeter for inmates holding an appropriate security classification. These inmates are provided to the West Virginia Division of Highways for various labor projects. MOCC also provides these inmates for labor and community service to various agencies/charitable organizations throughout the local area.
In September 2007, MOCC underwent an intensive audit by the American Correctional Association (ACA). Auditors spent three (3) days at MOCC examining policies, procedures and interacting with staff and inmates. MOCC was found to be in compliance with required national standards and was granted accreditation. Through additional audits conducted every three (3) years, MOCC has since maintained its ACA accreditation status. MOCC has also achieved and maintains national accreditation through the Correctional Education Association and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care.
David Ballard serves as the current Warden.
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Coordinates: 38°14′07″N 81°14′17″W / 38.23528°N 81.23806°W
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