Summary of Capital Expenditures Including Accrued Amounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 18,055	$ 19,864	$ 52,148	$ 52,724
Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	14,507	14,598	44,253	33,519
Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	713	525	1,393	1,609
CoreCivic Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	1,100	3,729	2,294	7,034
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 1,735	$ 1,012	$ 4,208	$ 10,562