Name:	cxw_GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDisclosureLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	cxw_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

A description of the origin of goodwill recognized by the reporting entity

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cxw_GoodwillRecognitionDescription
Namespace Prefix:	cxw_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Goodwill
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of loss from the write-down of an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13854-109267

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13777-109266

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The charge against earnings resulting from the write down of long lived assets other than goodwill due to the difference between the carrying value and lower fair value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2921-110230

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	cxw_FacilityActivationAndDevelopmentsAxis=cxw_BayCorrectionalFacilityFloridaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	cxw_FacilityActivationAndDevelopmentsAxis=cxw_IdahoCorrectionalCenterMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	cxw_FacilityActivationAndDevelopmentsAxis=cxw_WilkinsonCountyCorrectionalFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Goodwill - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
Goodwill - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Establishment of goodwill		This goodwill was established in connection with the acquisition of Correctional Alternatives Inc. ("CAI") during the third quarter of 2013, as further described in Note 5, and the acquisitions of two service companies during 2000.
Goodwill	$ 16,110,000us-gaap_Goodwill	$ 16,110,000us-gaap_Goodwill	$ 16,110,000us-gaap_Goodwill			$ 16,110,000us-gaap_Goodwill
Asset impairment charges	27,800,000us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges	30,082,000us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges	6,513,000us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
Idaho Correctional Center
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charges				1,000,000
Wilkinson County Correctional Facility
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charges					800,000
Asset impairment charges					2,600,000
Other assets impairment charges					1,800,000
Bay Correctional Facility in Florida
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charges						$ 1,100,000