Facility Activation Developments and Closures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 Bed	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012 Otter Creek Correctional Center Facility	Jan. 31, 2012 Otter Creek Correctional Center Minimum	Dec. 31, 2010 Prairie Correctional Facility Facility	Dec. 31, 2010 Huerfano County Correctional Center Facility Facility	Dec. 31, 2010 Diamondback Correctional Facility Facility	Mar. 31, 2013 San Diego Correctional Facility Facility	Sep. 30, 2012 Red Rock Correctional Center RenewalOptions	Mar. 31, 2013 Red Rock Correctional Center Facility	Mar. 31, 2013 Red Rock Correctional Center California State	Sep. 30, 2012 Red Rock Correctional Center Beginning in January of 2014	Sep. 30, 2012 Red Rock Correctional Center 2015
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		92,500			656		1,600	752	2,160	1,154		1,596
Assumption of ownership of the facility by the City of Wheelwright if CCA ceases to operate the facility, duration						2 years
Lease default settlement, lessor payment in satisfaction of future lease obligations	1.0
Carrying value of idle facilities		130.9	132.1
Lease expiration date										Dec. 31, 2015
Amount invested to acquire property										49.1
Expected additional number of offenders to be managed by the company											1,000			500	500
Management contract, initial term											10 years
Management contract, number of renewal options											2
Management contract, renewal option term											5 years
Percentage of guaranteed occupancy under management contract											90.00%
Management contract term facility will revert to the state of Arizona											20 years
Expected capital improvements cost for certain physical plant modifications											$ 20.0
Currently managed inmates													1,400