Number of beds included in funding in California State Budget.

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Percentage of revenues generated from government management contracts.

+ References

No definition available.

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Renewal of contract terms.

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Amount due from customers or clients, within one year of the balance sheet date (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer), for goods or services (including trade receivables) that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business, reduced to the estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection.

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A valuation allowance for trade and other receivables due to an Entity within one year (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) that are expected to be uncollectible.

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The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

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The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. For a classified balance sheet represents the current portion only (the noncurrent portion has a separate concept); there is a separate and distinct element for unclassified presentations.

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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 Federal Correctional And Detention Authorities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Federal Correctional And Detention Authorities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Federal Correctional And Detention Authorities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Federal Bureau Of Prisons [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Federal Bureau Of Prisons [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Federal Bureau Of Prisons [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 United States Marshals Service [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 United States Marshals Service [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 United States Marshals Service [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 United States Immigration And Customs Enforcement [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 United States Immigration And Customs Enforcement [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 United States Immigration And Customs Enforcement [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 State Correctional Authorities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 State Correctional Authorities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 State Correctional Authorities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 State Of California Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 State Of California Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 State Of California Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Maximum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Minimum [Member]
Organization And Operations [Line Items]
Restricted cash		$ 5,000,000	$ 6,800,000
Renewal of contract terms																						5	2
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts		271,217,000	305,305,000
Accounts receivable, allowances for doubtful accounts		$ 1,218,000	$ 1,568,000
Percentage of ownership required for exercise significant influence in affiliates		50.00%
Percentage of revenues generated from government management contracts				43.00%	43.00%	40.00%	12.00%	15.00%	13.00%	20.00%	16.00%	15.00%	12.00%	12.00%	12.00%	50.00%	50.00%	52.00%	13.00%	13.00%	11.00%
Number of beds included in funding in California State Budget.	9,588