Real Estate Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2015 USD ($) Bed Facility	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($) Facility	Oct. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Installment	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($) Facility	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 Bed Person	Jun. 30, 2014 Person	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) Bed Business-Combination	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2013 Bed
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility | Bed	600									88,500
Operating Expense										$ 1,256,128	$ 1,156,135	$ 1,220,351
Asset impairments				$ 27,800						955	30,082	6,513
Amount invested to acquire property				276,508						30,401	276,508
Deferred Revenue - Noncurrent				87,227						63,289	87,227
Revenue										1,755,745	1,612,671	1,687,809
Straight-line rent receivable				1,729						3,324	1,729
Consideration paid	$ 13,800
Business acquisition transaction related expenses	200
Purchase price, net tangible assets	13,400
Purchase price, identifiable intangible assets	$ 400
Number of facilities acquired | Facility	4
Lease expiration date	2019-07
Lease extension period	5 years
Leo Chesney Correctional Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Net carrying value										4,000
Idle Facilities
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Operating Expense										7,300	6,500	$ 5,600
Noncore Business | Idle Facilities
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Net carrying value				5,500						5,100	5,500
Lee Adjustment Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of offender | Person								308	458
Net carrying value				11,365						$ 10,840	11,365
Number of beds at the facility | Bed								816		816
North Fork Correctional Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Net carrying value				76,544						$ 74,805	76,544
Number of beds at the facility | Bed										2,400
Queensgate Correctional And Mineral Wells Pre Parole Transfer Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Net carrying value		$ 28,800			$ 28,800
Asset impairments				27,800
Houston Educational Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Net carrying value													$ 6,400
Asset impairments						$ 2,200
Offer from third party		$ 4,500			$ 4,500
Sale, closing date					2014-12
San Diego Correctional Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility | Bed										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 | Bed										1,482
Amount invested to acquire property										$ 157,000
Trousdale Turner Correctional Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility | Bed														2,552
Amount invested to acquire property										$ 144,000
Percentage of guaranteed occupancy under management contract										90.00%
ICE
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Deferred Revenue - Noncurrent				$ 70,000							70,000
Number of distinct multiple element arrangements | Business-Combination										5
Revenue										$ 244,200	21,000
ICE | Installment Payment
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of installments | Installment				2
Installments due				Dec. 31, 2014
Amount to be settled as an installment				$ 35,000							$ 35,000
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
Rent increase percentage			2.00%
Tenant improvements expenses			$ 10,000
North Georgia Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Asset impairments							$ 3,800
Lease termination expenses							$ 1,000
Maximum | South Texas Family Residential Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility | Facility		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