Schedule of Revenue and Facility Contribution of Reportable Segments and Reconciliation to CCA's Operating Income (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total management revenue													$ 1,754,610	$ 1,717,924	$ 1,656,565
Total operating expenses													1,234,491	1,174,953	1,135,413
Rental and other revenue													5,275	6,419	6,752
Other operating expense													(17,693)	(15,920)	(15,750)
General and administrative													(88,935)	(91,227)	(84,148)
Depreciation and amortization													(113,933)	(108,216)	(103,710)
Operating income	80,516	79,888	74,885	69,544	82,377	[1]	80,905	[1]	87,100	[1]	83,645	[1]	304,833	334,027	324,296
Owned and managed
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total management revenue													1,395,193	1,356,678	1,331,707
Total operating expenses													916,730	864,252	853,248
Operating income													478,463	492,426	478,459
Managed-only
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total management revenue													359,417	361,246	324,858
Total operating expenses													317,761	310,701	282,165
Operating income													41,656	50,545	42,693
Facility contribution
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income													$ 520,119	$ 542,971	$ 521,152

[1] The amounts presented for the four quarters of 2011 are not equal to the same amounts previously reported in the respective reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K for each period as a result of discontinued operations. Below is a reconciliation to the previously reported amounts in Form 10-Q.