The amount of debt issuance costs that were capitalized.

No definition available.

Name:	cxw_DebtIssuanceCostsCapitalized
Namespace Prefix:	cxw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The debt redemption price stated as a percentage of the par value.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cxw_DebtRedemptionPricePercentageOfParValue
Namespace Prefix:	cxw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The additional borrowing capacity under the line of credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Line of Credit Facility Extension Length

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cxw_LineOfCreditFacilityExtensionLength
Namespace Prefix:	cxw_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line Of Credit Facility Maturity

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cxw_LineOfCreditFacilityMaturity
Namespace Prefix:	cxw_
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearMonthItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Margin on Base Rate for Line of Credit.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cxw_MarginOnBaseRate
Namespace Prefix:	cxw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Margin on LIBOR.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cxw_MarginOnLibor
Namespace Prefix:	cxw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of Capital Stock of foreign subsidiary secured by pledge under Revolving Credit Facilities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cxw_PercentageOfCapitalStockOfForeignSubsidiarySecuredByPledgeUnderRevolvingCreditFacilities
Namespace Prefix:	cxw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage Of Senior Notes Offer Price In Connection With An Asset Sale

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cxw_PercentageOfSeniorNotesOfferPriceInConnectionWithAssetSale
Namespace Prefix:	cxw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage Of Senior Notes Offer Price In Connection With Change In Control

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cxw_PercentageOfSeniorNotesOfferPriceInConnectionWithChangeInControl
Namespace Prefix:	cxw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sublimit for issuance of standby letters of credit.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Short-Term financing which is expected to be paid back relatively quickly, such as by a subsequent longer-term loan. Also called swing loan or bridge financing.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BridgeLoan
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Description of the interest rate for the amounts borrowed under the credit facility, including the terms and the method for determining the interest rate (for example, fixed or variable, LIBOR plus a percentage, increasing rate, timing of interest rate resets, remarketing provisions).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDescription
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=cxw_AmendedRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=cxw_SeniorNotesDue2020Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=cxw_SeniorNotesDue2023Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=cxw_SeniorNotesFourPointOneTwentyFivePercentDueTwentyTwentyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=cxw_SeniorNotesFourPointSixTwentyFivePercentDueTwentyTwentyThreeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility letters of credit outstanding	$ 16.3			$ 25.0
Percentage of Senior Notes offer price in connection with an asset sale	100.00%
Percentage of Senior Notes offer price in connection with change in control	101.00%
Amended Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity	900.0	900.0			785.0
Revolving Credit Facility maturity extension period		1 year
Revolving Credit Facility maturity date		2017-12
Debt issuance costs, capitalized		2.7
Line of credit interest on outstanding borrowings	At CCA’s option, interest on outstanding borrowings under the $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility is based on either a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.25% to 1.0% or a London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 2.0% based on CCA’s leverage ratio.
Base rate plus a margin	0.75%
LIBOR plus a margin	1.75%
Line of credit facility, aggregate principal amount of additional borrowing	100.0
Sublimit swing line loans	30.0
Percentage of commitment fee to unfunded balance	0.35%
Borrowings under credit facility	525.0
Line of credit facility	358.7
Sublimit for issuance of standby letters of credit	50.0
Percentage of capital stock of foreign subsidiary secured by pledge under Revolving Credit Facilities	65.00%
Amended Revolving Credit Facility \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Base rate plus a margin	0.25%
LIBOR plus a margin	1.25%
Amended Revolving Credit Facility \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Base rate plus a margin	1.00%
LIBOR plus a margin	2.00%
Senior Notes Due 2020 \| Issuance Of Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount			325.0
Debt instrument due date			Apr. 01, 2020
Debt instrument interest rate			4.125%
Senior Notes Due 2023 \| Issuance Of Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount			$ 350.0
Debt instrument due date			May 01, 2023
Debt instrument interest rate			4.625%
Senior Notes 4.125% Due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument due date	Apr. 01, 2020
Debt instrument interest rate	4.125%
Senior Notes 4.125% Due 2020 \| Issuance Of Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument redemption percentage of par			100.00%
Senior Notes 4.625% Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument due date	May 01, 2023
Debt instrument interest rate	4.625%
Senior Notes 4.625% Due 2023 \| Issuance Of Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument redemption percentage of par			100.00%