Facility Activation, Developments, And Closures (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended				1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2009 Prairie Correctional Facility [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Huerfano County Correctional Center Facility [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Diamondback Correctional Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Jenkins Correctional Facility [Member] D Y	Mar. 31, 2012 Jenkins Correctional Facility [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Lake Erie Correctional Institution [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Lake Erie Correctional Institution [Member] Y	Sep. 30, 2011 Lake Erie Correctional Institution [Member]	Jan. 31, 2012 Otter Creek Correctional Center [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 San Diego Correctional Facility [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Minimum [Member] San Diego Correctional Facility [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Maximum [Member] San Diego Correctional Facility [Member]
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Construction cost of facility, capitalized amount			$ 29.0
Equipment			0.6
Pre-fabricated concrete cells			15.2
Number of beds at the facility				1,600	752	2,160					1,798	656	1,154
Expected additional number of offenders to be managed by the company							1,150
Carrying value of idle facilities	129.1	130.1
Construction cost								51
Expected construction cost														142.0	150.0
Construction contract initial term, in years							1			20
Construction contract number of renewal options							24
Construction contract renewal option term, in years							1
Population guarantee, percentage							90.00%
Ramp-up period, in days							120
Terms of contract awarded by the Georgia Department of Corrections	The contract has an initial one-year base term with 24 one-year renewal options. Additionally, the contract provides for a population guarantee of 90% following a 120-day ramp-up period.
Purchase price of facility									73.0
Percentage of guaranteed occupancy under management contract									90.00%
Lease expiration date													December 31, 2015.
Amount invested to acquire property													$ 45.3