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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) Facility	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Organization And Operations [Line Items]
Immaterial reclassification to the consolidated balance sheets	$ 255,600
Restricted cash	21,335
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts	270,597	$ 254,188
Accounts receivable, allowances for doubtful accounts	$ 2,542	$ 782
Number of facilities accounting for as service concession arrangements \| Facility	4
Equity method investment description	Investments in affiliates that are equal to or less than 50%-owned over which CoreCivic can exercise significant influence are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
Percentage of likelihood required for a tax position to be measured	50.00%
Accounting Standards Update 2016-16
Organization And Operations [Line Items]
Prepaid taxes written off to accumulated deficit				$ 2,600
Government Contracts Concentration Risk \| Sales Revenue, Net \| Federal Correctional And Detention Authorities
Organization And Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of revenues generated from government management contracts	48.00%	48.00%	52.00%
Government Contracts Concentration Risk \| Sales Revenue, Net \| Federal Bureau Of Prisons
Organization And Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of revenues generated from government management contracts	6.00%	7.00%	9.00%
Government Contracts Concentration Risk \| Sales Revenue, Net \| United States Marshals Service
Organization And Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of revenues generated from government management contracts	17.00%	16.00%	15.00%
Government Contracts Concentration Risk \| Sales Revenue, Net \| United States Immigration And Customs Enforcement
Organization And Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of revenues generated from government management contracts	25.00%	25.00%	28.00%
Government Contracts Concentration Risk \| Sales Revenue, Net \| State Correctional Authorities
Organization And Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of revenues generated from government management contracts	39.00%	41.00%	38.00%
Minimum
Organization And Operations [Line Items]
Renewal of contract terms	2 years
Maximum
Organization And Operations [Line Items]
Renewal of contract terms	5 years
Lansing Correctional Facility and Related Debt Service
Organization And Operations [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 17,200
SSA-Baltimore Property
Organization And Operations [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 4,100