Real Estate Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended
	Feb. 10, 2017 USD ($) Bed	Jan. 01, 2017 USD ($) Bed	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) Bed Facility	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Purchase price, net tangible assets		$ 6,600
Purchase price, identifiable intangible assets		$ 500
Number of beds at the facility | Bed			88,400
Operating Expense			$ 315,303	$ 313,918
Idled Non-Core Facilities
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of facility | Facility			2
Net Carrying Value			$ 3,900
Number of beds at the facility | Bed			440
Idle Facilities
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Operating Expense			$ 2,900	$ 2,100
Arapahoe Community Treatment Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the center | Bed		135
Consideration paid		$ 5,500
Stockton Female Community Corrections Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the center | Bed	100
Consideration paid	$ 1,600
Lease expiration date	2021-04
Lease extension period	5 years
Eden Detention Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Net Carrying Value			$ 40,900
Number of beds at the facility | Bed			1,422