Commitments And Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 1997
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Issuance of revenue bonds				$ 72.7
Outstanding principal balance of revenue bonds	33.4
Outstanding principal balance of the bonds exceeded the purchase price option	10.2
Effect of legal proceedings on CCA's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows	0
Minimum age limit for participating in the Savings and Retirement Plan, years	18
Minimum qualified service required to participate in the Savings and Retirement Plan, years	1
Eligible employee contribution on eligible compensation	90.00%
Employer discretionary matching contribution equal to employee contribution	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Maximum percentage of employer discretionary matching contribution of employee eligible compensation	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Time period when distributions are paid, minimum years subsequent to the date an individual becomes a participant in the Plan	5
Distributions to senior executives commencement period, days after participant's separation from service	60
Distributions to senior executives commencement period, time period	the fifteenth day of the month following the month the individual attains age 65
Minimum number of hours of employment in the plan year for discretionary matching contribution	one thousand hours
Discretionary contribution plan forfeitures, net	9.2	8.3	8.5
Number of qualified deferred compensation plans	2
Employee contribution under Deferred Compensation Plans	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Total cash compensation under Deferred Compensation Plans	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Percentage of fixed return form Deferred Compensation Plans to participants	6.00%	6.20%	6.50%
Deferred Compensation Plans assets	8.8	6.9
Matching contributions as general and administrative expense associated with the Deferred Compensation Plans	0.3	0.3	0.4
Deferred Compensation Plans liability	$ 12.2	$ 10.2
Hardeman County Correctional Facilities Corporation [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility				2,016
Non-Employee Directors [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Contribution as percentage of retainer and meeting fees	100.00%
Senior Executives [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Contribution as percentage of salary	50.00%
Contribution as percentage of cash bonus	100.00%
After Two Years Of Service [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Vested percentage of employer contributions and investment earnings or losses	20.00%
After Three Years Of Service [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Vested percentage of employer contributions and investment earnings or losses	40.00%
After Four Years Of Service [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Vested percentage of employer contributions and investment earnings or losses	80.00%
After Five Or More Years Of Service [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Vested percentage of employer contributions and investment earnings or losses	100.00%