Schedule of Revenue and Net Operating Income of Owned and Managed and the Managed-Only Facilities and Reconciliation to CCA's Operating Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total management revenue	$ 453,277	$ 449,767	$ 891,728	$ 866,675
Total operating expenses	310,467	312,119	618,981	604,428
Rental and other revenue	10,054	9,528	18,988	18,620
Other operating expense	(5,979)	(5,916)	(11,383)	(14,269)
General and administrative	(27,364)	(23,107)	(53,844)	(49,979)
Depreciation and amortization	(42,345)	(38,400)	(84,404)	(67,085)
Asset impairments				(955)
Operating income	77,176	79,753	142,104	148,579
Owned and managed
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total management revenue	401,931	396,053	790,552	760,017
Total operating expenses	266,249	263,419	529,672	507,719
Operating income	135,682	132,634	260,880	252,298
Managed-only
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total management revenue	51,346	53,714	101,176	106,658
Total operating expenses	44,218	48,700	89,309	96,709
Operating income	7,128	5,014	11,867	9,949
Facility
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	$ 142,810	$ 137,648	$ 272,747	$ 262,247