Real Estate Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 Bed	Dec. 31, 2014 Bed	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012 Person RenewalOptions	Sep. 30, 2014 Facility	Mar. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013 Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Purchase price, goodwill	$ 16,110,000	$ 16,110,000	$ 16,110,000					$ 16,110,000
Operating Expense		1,156,135,000	1,220,351,000	1,217,051,000
Asset impairments	27,800,000	30,082,000	6,513,000
Number of beds at the facility	84,500	84,500
Amount invested to acquire property	276,508,000	276,508,000	93,187,000					93,187,000
Capital improvements for certain physical plant modifications		45,929,000	30,376,000	77,233,000
Payment amount	87,227,000	87,227,000	1,070,000					1,070,000
Correctional Alternatives, Inc.
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Consideration paid					36,500,000
Business acquisition transaction related expenses					800,000
Purchase price, goodwill					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
Queensgate Correctional And Mineral Wells Pre Parole Transfer Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Carrying value of idle facilities						28,800,000					28,800,000
Asset impairments	27,800,000
Houston Educational Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Carrying value of idle facilities												6,400,000
Asset impairments							2,200,000
Offer from third party						4,500,000					4,500,000
Sale, closing date						2014-12
North Georgia Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Asset impairments								3,800,000
Lease termination expenses								1,000,000
San Diego Correctional Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility	1,154	1,154
Lease expiration date		Dec. 31, 2015
Otay Mesa Detention Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility	1,492	1,492
Amount invested to acquire property	121,500,000	121,500,000
State of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
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
Trousdale Turner Correctional Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility													2,552
Amount invested to acquire property	60,700,000	60,700,000
Percentage of guaranteed occupancy under management contract		90.00%
Red Rock Correctional Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility	1,596	1,596
Percentage of guaranteed occupancy under management contract										90.00%
Expected additional number of offenders to be managed by the company										1,000
Management contract, initial term										10 years
Management contract, number of renewal options										2
Management contract, renewal option term										5 years
Management contract term facility will revert to the state of Arizona										20 years
Capital improvements for certain physical plant modifications		20,800,000
Maximum number of useful life in years		20 years
ICE
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Payment amount	70,000,000	70,000,000
Number of distinct multiple element arrangements		5
Deferred revenue recognized		21,000,000
Idle Facilities
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Operating Expense		7,900,000	6,400,000	6,000,000
Idle Facilities | Noncore Business
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Carrying value of idle facilities	1,300,000	1,300,000	30,400,000					30,400,000
Installment Payment | ICE
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Payment amount	$ 35,000,000	$ 35,000,000
Number of installments		2
Installments due		Dec. 31, 2014
Maximum | South Texas Family Residential Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility	2,400	2,400				2,400					2,400
Management contract, initial term											4 years
Minimum | South Texas Family Residential Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Agreement notice period for termination											90 days