Schedule of Revenue and Facility Net Operating Income of Reportable Segments and Reconciliation to CCA's Operating Income (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total management revenue	$ 399,020	$ 420,282	$ 1,198,287	$ 1,260,005
Total operating expenses	275,116	297,955	842,724	891,411
Rental and other revenue	9,454	1,184	25,103	3,189
Other operating expense	(7,596)	(3,534)	(14,978)	(12,301)
General and administrative	(27,635)	(23,570)	(79,586)	(80,162)
Depreciation and amortization	(28,277)	(28,151)	(85,413)	(83,203)
Asset impairments		(985)	(2,238)	(985)
OPERATING INCOME	69,850	67,271	198,451	195,132
Owned and managed
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total management revenue	345,105	344,150	1,020,041	1,034,251
Total operating expenses	227,816	232,778	683,143	696,681
OPERATING INCOME	117,289	111,372	336,898	337,570
Managed-only
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total management revenue	53,915	76,132	178,246	225,754
Total operating expenses	47,300	65,177	159,581	194,730
OPERATING INCOME	6,615	10,955	18,665	31,024
Facility
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
OPERATING INCOME	$ 123,904	$ 122,327	$ 355,563	$ 368,594