Area of building acquired.

No definition available.

Name:	cxw_AreaOfBuildingAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	cxw_
Data Type:	num:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt instrument maturity term.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cxw_DebtInstrumentMaturityTerm
Namespace Prefix:	cxw_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The additional borrowing capacity under the line of credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cxw_LineOfCreditFacilityAdditionalBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	cxw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Mortgage loan maturity date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cxw_MortgageLoanMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	cxw_
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearMonthItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of Capital Stock of foreign subsidiary secured by pledge under Revolving Credit Facilities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cxw_PercentageOfCapitalStockOfForeignSubsidiarySecuredByPledgeUnderRevolvingCreditFacilities
Namespace Prefix:	cxw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Sublimit for issuance of standby letters of credit.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cxw_SublimitForIssuanceOfStandbyLettersOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	cxw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Short-Term financing which is expected to be paid back relatively quickly, such as by a subsequent longer-term loan. Also called swing loan or bridge financing.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(13))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(19)(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16)(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BridgeLoan
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage price of original principal amount of debt at which debt can be redeemed by the issuer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph e
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75038535&loc=d3e64711-112823

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the aggregate of total long-term debt, including current maturities and short-term debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Description of the interest rate for the amounts borrowed under the credit facility, including the terms and the method for determining the interest rate (for example, fixed or variable, LIBOR plus a percentage, increasing rate, timing of interest rate resets, remarketing provisions).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDescription
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow from the acquisition of a piece of land, anything permanently fixed to it, including buildings, structures on it and so forth; includes real estate intended to generate income for the owner; excludes real estate acquired for use by the owner.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireRealEstate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=cxw_CapitalCommerceCenterMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=cxw_NonRecourseMortgageNoteMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cxw_TermLoanDueInJulyTwentyTwentyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cxw_SeniorNotesFourPointOneTwentyFivePercentDueTwentyTwentyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cxw_SeniorNotesFourPointSixTwentyFivePercentDueTwentyTwentyThreeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cxw_SeniorNotesFivePointZeroPercentDueTwentyTwentyTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cxw_SeniorNotesFourPointSeventyFivePercentDueTwentyTwentySevenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=cxw_AmendedRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cxw_NineHundredPointZeroMillionRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_BaseRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt - Additional Information (Detail)		1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
Debt - Additional Information (Detail)	Jan. 19, 2018 USD ($) ft²	Oct. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Oct. 06, 2015 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings outstanding under credit facility						$ 198,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility letters of credit outstanding						7,600,000
Total debt						1,479,809,000	$ 1,459,000,000
Debt Instrument outstanding balance						1,479,809,000	1,459,000,000
Capital Commerce Center
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Area of building acquired \| ft²	261,000
Purchase price of real estate	$ 44,700,000
Non-Recourse Mortgage Note \| Capital Commerce Center
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.50%
Amount of acquisition financed with non-recourse mortgage note	$ 24,500,000
Mortgage note maturity date	2033-01
Mortgage note maturity term	15 years
Debt Instrument outstanding balance						24,300,000
Term Loan Due in July 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount								$ 100,000,000
Total debt						$ 82,500,000
Debt maturity date						Jul. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument outstanding balance						$ 82,500,000	85,000,000
Senior Notes 4.125% Due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount					$ 325,000,000
Debt maturity date					Apr. 01, 2020	Apr. 01, 2020
Stated interest rate					4.125%	4.125%
Debt instrument redemption percentage of par					100.00%
Debt Instrument outstanding balance						$ 325,000,000	325,000,000
Senior Notes 4.625% Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount					$ 350,000,000
Debt maturity date					May 01, 2023	May 01, 2023
Stated interest rate					4.625%	4.625%
Debt instrument redemption percentage of par					100.00%
Debt Instrument outstanding balance						$ 350,000,000	350,000,000
Senior Notes 5.0% Due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount			$ 250,000,000
Debt maturity date			Oct. 15, 2022			Oct. 15, 2022
Stated interest rate			5.00%			5.00%
Debt instrument redemption percentage of par			100.00%
Debt Instrument outstanding balance						$ 250,000,000	250,000,000
Senior Notes 4.75% Due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount		$ 250,000
Debt maturity date		Oct. 15, 2027				Oct. 15, 2027
Stated interest rate		4.75%				4.75%
Debt instrument redemption percentage of par		100.00%
Debt Instrument outstanding balance						$ 250,000,000	250,000,000
Amended Revolving Credit Facility \| $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit interest on outstanding borrowings						At CoreCivic's option, interest on outstanding borrowings under the $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility is based on either a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.00% to 0.75% or at the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus a margin ranging from 1.00% to 1.75% based on CoreCivic's then-current leverage ratio.
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity				$ 900,000,000
Line of credit facility, aggregate principal amount of additional borrowing				350,000,000
Sublimit swing line loans				30,000,000
Percentage of commitment fee to unfunded balance						0.35%
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity						$ 694,400,000
Sublimit for issuance of standby letters of credit				$ 50,000,000
Percentage of capital stock of foreign subsidiary secured by pledge under Revolving Credit Facilities				65.00%
Amended Revolving Credit Facility \| $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility \| Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, percentage points added to reference rate						0.50%
Amended Revolving Credit Facility \| $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility \| Base Rate \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, percentage points added to reference rate				0.00%
Amended Revolving Credit Facility \| $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility \| Base Rate \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, percentage points added to reference rate				0.75%
Amended Revolving Credit Facility \| $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, percentage points added to reference rate						1.50%
Amended Revolving Credit Facility \| $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, percentage points added to reference rate				1.00%
Amended Revolving Credit Facility \| $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, percentage points added to reference rate				1.75%
Revolving Credit Facility \| $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity						$ 900,000,000	900,000,000
Debt Instrument outstanding balance						$ 198,000,000	$ 199,000,000