Built as a replacement for the Civil War-era West Virginia Penitentiary at Moundsville, Mount Olive Correctional Complex (MOCC) is located seven miles east of Montgomery on Cannelton Hollow Road in Fayette County.

Inmate transfers were completed on March 27, 1995, and the West Virginia Penitentiary was closed.

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.

In partnership with Catalyst Ministries, Appalachian Bible College operates an on-site extension campus at MOCC which focuses on moral rehabilitation.