Real Estate Activations, Acquisitions, Developments, and Closures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			0 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 Bed	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Bed	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013 Correctional Alternatives, Inc.	Jul. 31, 2013 Correctional Alternatives, Inc.	Sep. 30, 2014 San Diego Correctional Facility Facility	Sep. 30, 2014 Otay Mesa Detention Center Facility	Sep. 30, 2012 Red Rock Correctional Center Person RenewalOptions	Sep. 30, 2014 Red Rock Correctional Center Facility	Oct. 31, 2013 State of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013 Facility	Sep. 30, 2014 Houston Educational Facility	Dec. 31, 2013 Houston Educational Facility	Sep. 30, 2014 South Texas Family Residential Center	Sep. 30, 2014 Third Party Lessor acre	Sep. 30, 2014 ICE	Sep. 30, 2014 Idle Facilities	Sep. 30, 2013 Idle Facilities	Sep. 30, 2014 Idle Facilities	Sep. 30, 2013 Idle Facilities	Sep. 30, 2014 Non-appropriation of fund Third Party Lessor	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum South Texas Family Residential Center Facility	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum South Texas Family Residential Center	Sep. 30, 2014 Installment Payment ICE Installment
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Consideration paid						$ 36,500,000
Business acquisition transaction related expenses							800,000
Purchase price, goodwill	16,110,000		16,110,000		16,110,000		7,000,000
Purchase price, identifiable intangible assets							26,900,000
Purchase price, intangible liabilities							7,900,000
Purchase price, net tangible assets							17,700,000
Purchase price, deferred tax liabilities							7,200,000
Operating Expense	282,712,000	301,489,000	857,702,000	903,712,000																2,000,000	1,400,000	6,200,000	4,400,000
Offer from third party															4,500,000
Sale, expected closing date															2014-12
Carrying value of idle facilities																6,400,000
Asset impairments		985,000	2,238,000	985,000											2,200,000
Number of beds at the facility	84,500		84,500					1,154	1,492		1,596			2,552											2,400
Lease expiration date								Dec. 31, 2015
Amount invested to acquire property									102,900,000				38,000,000
Expected additional number of offenders to be managed by the company										1,000
Management contract, initial term										10 years															4 years
Management contract, number of renewal options										2
Management contract, renewal option term										5 years
Percentage of guaranteed occupancy under management contract										90.00%			90.00%
Management contract term facility will revert to the state of Arizona										20 years
Capital improvements for certain physical plant modifications											20,700,000
Maximum number of useful life in years											20 years
Lease agreement commencing date												Dec. 01, 2013
Lease term												3 years
Renewal options term												2 years
Annual rent												28,500,000
Rent increase percentage												2.00%
Tenant improvements expenses												10,000,000
Agreement notice period for termination																		90 days						60 days		90 days
Leased site, area																		50
Remaining lease obligation																		306,200,000
Lease termination penalty																								13,400,000
Contractually committed for various other services																	66,100,000
Payment amount																		70,000,000
Payment amount																			$ 70,000,000								$ 35,000,000
Installments due																											Dec. 31, 2014
Number of installments																											2