Goodwill - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) Facility	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) Facility	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Establishment of goodwill			This goodwill was established in connection with multiple business combination transactions.
Goodwill	$ 38,728,000		$ 38,728,000	$ 38,386,000
State of Texas
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 0		$ 0
Number of facilities scheduled to expire in August 2017 | Facility			4
Number of facilities for which TDCJ selected other operators | Facility	3
Bartlett State Jail
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Closing date of Bartlett facility			Jun. 24, 2017
Goodwill impairment charges		$ 300,000