Idled Facilities and Respective Carrying Values Excluding Equipment and Other Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 Facility	Jun. 30, 2013 Facility	Dec. 31, 2012
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity	90,000
Queensgate Correctional Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity	850
Date Idled	2008
Net Carrying Value	$ 11,902		$ 12,073
Shelby Training Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity	200
Date Idled	2008
Net Carrying Value	853		1,155
Trousdale County, Tennessee Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Date Idled	2009
Net Carrying Value	28,485		28,460
Prairie Correctional Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity	1,600
Date Idled	2010
Net Carrying Value	19,653		20,503
Huerfano County Correctional Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity	752
Date Idled	2010
Net Carrying Value	19,997		20,603
Diamondback Correctional Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity	2,160
Date Idled	2010
Net Carrying Value	44,474		45,475
Otter Creek Correctional Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity	656
Date Idled	2012
Net Carrying Value	25,015		25,685
Houston Educational Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Date Idled	2012
Net Carrying Value	6,520		6,657
Mineral Wells Pre Parole Transfer Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity	2,103	2,103
Date Idled	2013
Net Carrying Value	18,272		19,063
Marion Adjustment Center Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity	826	826
Date Idled	2013
Net Carrying Value	13,545		13,720
Total Idle Facilities
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity	9,147
Net Carrying Value	$ 188,716		$ 193,394