Summary of Capital Expenditures Including Accrued Amounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 69,123	$ 29,173	$ 109,916	$ 95,425
Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	19,825	13,382	38,927	24,852
Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	1,261	1,272	2,724	8,419
CoreCivic Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	43,338	12,708	60,094	53,702
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 4,699	$ 1,811	$ 8,171	$ 8,452