Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended											12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations												$ 195,022	$ 304,592	$ 156,966
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes							(663)	(2,739)		(355)			(3,757)	(205)
Net income	30,006	[1]	57,546	55,732	51,738	47,471	51,843	20,429	[2]	181,092	[3]	195,022	300,835	156,761
Weighted average shares and assumed conversions												117,312	111,250	100,623
Income from continuing operations												$ 1.68	$ 2.77	$ 1.58
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes													$ (0.03)
Net income	$ 0.26	[1]	$ 0.50	$ 0.48	$ 0.45	$ 0.41	$ 0.45	$ 0.19	[2]	$ 1.81	[3]	$ 1.68	$ 2.74	$ 1.58
Income from continuing operations												$ 1.66	$ 2.73	$ 1.56
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes													$ (0.03)
Net income	$ 0.25	[1]	$ 0.49	$ 0.48	$ 0.44	$ 0.41	$ 0.44	$ 0.19	[2]	$ 1.78	[3]	$ 1.66	$ 2.70	$ 1.56
Basic Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations												195,022	304,592	156,966
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes													(3,757)	(205)
Net income												195,022	300,835	156,761
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic												116,109	109,617	99,545
Diluted Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations												195,022	304,592	156,966
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes													(3,757)	(205)
Net income												$ 195,022	$ 300,835	$ 156,761
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted												116,109	109,617	99,545
Stock options
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities												895	1,279	864
Restricted stock based compensation
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities												308	354	214

[1] The earnings amounts in the fourth quarter of 2014 were unfavorably impacted by $27.8 million of non-cash impairments recorded to write down the book values of two of CCA's non-core facilities to the estimated fair values, as discussed in Note 5.

[2] The earnings amounts in the second quarter of 2013 were negatively impacted by $36.3 million of expenses associated with debt refinancing transactions.

[3] The earnings amounts in the first quarter of 2013 were favorably impacted by the net tax benefit resulting from the revaluation of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities associated with the REIT conversion effective January 1, 2013.