Schedule of Selected Quarterly Financial Information (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
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 423,477		$ 408,474	$ 410,694	$ 404,222	$ 431,103	$ 421,466	$ 425,005		$ 416,723		$ 1,646,867	$ 1,694,297	$ 1,723,657
OPERATING INCOME	41,845	[1]	69,850	65,535	63,066	56,019	67,271	67,969		59,892		240,296	251,151	304,608
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
Basic earnings per share: 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
Diluted earnings per share: 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

[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.