Schedule of Other Assets (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Other Assets [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs, accumulated amortization	$ 5,413	$ 2,311

The accumulated amortization on debt issuance costs.

No definition available.

Name:	cxw_DebtIssuanceCostsAccumulatedAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	cxw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant