Facility Activation Developments and Closures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified			6 Months Ended				1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2009 Prairie Correctional Facility	Jan. 15, 2010 Huerfano County Correctional Center Facility	Jan. 15, 2010 Diamondback Correctional Facility	Dec. 31, 2011 Lake Erie Correctional Institution	Mar. 31, 2012 Lake Erie Correctional Institution Year	Sep. 30, 2011 Lake Erie Correctional Institution	Jun. 30, 2012 San Diego Correctional Facility	Jun. 30, 2012 San Diego Correctional Facility Minimum	Jun. 30, 2012 San Diego Correctional Facility Maximum	Jan. 31, 2012 Otter Creek Correctional Center	Jan. 31, 2012 Otter Creek Correctional Center Minimum	Sep. 30, 2010 Jenkins Correctional Center Day Year	Mar. 31, 2012 Jenkins Correctional Center	Jun. 30, 2012 Jenkins Correctional Center
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	1,154			656
Assumption of ownership of the facility by the City of Wheelwright if CCA ceases to operate the facility, duration														2 years
Carrying value of idle facilities	134.7	137.0
Expected additional number of offenders to be managed by the company															1,150	1,100	1,100
Construction cost																51.0	51.0
Construction contract initial term, in years								20							1
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										Dec. 31, 2015
Amount invested to acquire property										46.0
Expected construction cost											$ 142.0	$ 150.0