Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Land and improvements	$ 127,221cxw_LandAndImprovements	$ 127,246cxw_LandAndImprovements
Buildings and improvements	3,048,836us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGross	3,058,748us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGross
Equipment and software	326,603cxw_EquipmentAndSoftwareGross	316,696cxw_EquipmentAndSoftwareGross
Office furniture and fixtures	30,884us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesGross	30,969us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesGross
Construction in progress	276,508us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross	93,187us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross
Property and equipment, gross	3,810,052us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross	3,626,846us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(1,151,424)	(1,080,233)
Property, and Equipment, total	$ 2,658,628us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	$ 2,546,613us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet

Amount before accumulated depreciation of equipment and software.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Land and amount before accumulated depreciation of land improvements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization for physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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- Definition

Amount before accumulated depreciation of building structures held for productive use including addition, improvement, or renovation to the structure, including, but not limited to, interior masonry, interior flooring, electrical, and plumbing.

+ References

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

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- Definition

Amount of structure or a modification to a structure under construction. Includes recently completed structures or modifications to structures that have not been placed into service.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount before accumulated depreciation of equipment commonly used in offices and stores that have no permanent connection to the structure of a building or utilities. Examples include, but are not limited to, desks, chairs, tables, and bookcases.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount before accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.

+ References

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

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- Definition

Amount after accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.

+ References

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

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