Segment Reporting (Schedule Of Revenue And Facility Contribution Of Reportable Segments And Reconciliation To CCA's Operating Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010		Sep. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2010		Mar. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total management revenue													$ 1,729,194	$ 1,668,279	$ 1,622,275
Total operating expenses													1,187,480	1,148,021	1,121,025
Rental and other revenue													6,419	6,752	6,618
Other operating expense													(15,920)	(15,750)	(14,030)
General and administrative expense													(91,227)	(84,148)	(86,537)
Depreciation and amortization													(108,931)	(104,051)	(99,939)
Operating income	81,072	80,735	86,781	83,467	87,092	[1]	85,189	[1]	78,249	[1]	72,531	[1]	332,055	323,061	307,362
Owned And Managed [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total management revenue													1,356,678	1,331,707	1,313,734
Total operating expenses													864,252	853,248	850,760
Operating income													492,426	478,459	462,974
Managed-Only [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total management revenue													372,516	336,572	308,541
Total operating expenses													323,228	294,773	270,265
Operating income													49,288	41,799	38,276
Facility Contribution [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income													$ 541,714	$ 520,258	$ 501,250

[1] The amounts presented for the first and second quarters of 2010 are not equal to the same amounts previously reported in Form 10-Q for each period as a result of discontinued operations. Below is a reconciliation to the previously reported amounts in Form 10-Q.