Schedule of Revenue and Facility Net Operating Income for Each of the Three Segments and a Reconciliation to CoreCivic's Operating Income Before Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 458,002	$ 452,988
Operating expenses	354,537	344,629
General and administrative	(32,679)	(31,101)
Depreciation and amortization	(31,042)	(32,028)
Interest expense, net	(19,151)	(22,920)
Gain on sale of real estate assets, net	0	(2,261)
Other income (expense)	(47)	1,042
Income before income taxes	20,546	25,613
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	457,901	452,954
Operating expenses	354,474	344,530
Operating income	103,427	108,424
Operating Segments | Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	417,650	414,248
Operating expenses	328,398	321,021
Operating income	89,252	93,227
Operating Segments | Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	26,414	24,115
Operating expenses	22,715	20,227
Operating income	3,699	3,888
Operating Segments | CoreCivic Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	13,837	14,591
Operating expenses	3,361	3,282
Operating income	10,476	11,309
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Other operating expense	(63)	(99)
General and administrative	(32,679)	(31,101)
Depreciation and amortization	(31,042)	(32,028)
Interest expense, net	(19,151)	(22,920)
Gain on sale of real estate assets, net	0	2,261
Other income (expense)	(47)	1,042
Segment Reconciling Items | Other Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 101	$ 34