Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) Property	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) Property	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2019 USD ($)	Jan. 24, 2018
CoreCivic Properties
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of properties leased to third parties and used by government agencies | Property	27		27
Kansas Department Of Corrections
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Lease term						20 years
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
ROU asset					$ 82,900,000
Lease liability	$ 84,541,000		$ 84,541,000		82,900,000
Net charge to accumulated deficit					$ 29,900,000
Weighted average discount rate associated with the operating leases					5.30%
Weighted-average lease term of operating leases	4 years 4 months 24 days		4 years 4 months 24 days
Operating lease expense inclusive of short-term and variable leases	$ 8,600,000	$ 7,500,000	$ 25,800,000	$ 22,700,000
Future minimum lease payments	$ 96,986,000		$ 96,986,000
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | CoreCivic Properties
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating leases latest expiration year			2034
Number of properties leased to third parties and used by government agencies | Property	27		27
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Kansas Department Of Corrections
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Lease term						20 years
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | ICE
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Agreement notice period for termination			60 days
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Third Party Lessor
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Lease agreement, Option to extend the term of agreement			CoreCivic's lease agreement with the lessor is over a base period concurrent with an inter-governmental service agreement ("IGSA") with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") which was amended in October 2016 to extend the term of the agreement through September 2021.
Period to reach an agreement for continued use of facility from termination date			90 days
Lease termination penalty			$ 4,500,000
Non lease component for food services, rate of consideration paid			44.00%
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Third Party Lessor | Declining to zero by October 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Lease termination penalty			$ 0
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Third Party Lessor | Multiple Properties
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating leases latest expiration year			2032
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | South Texas Family Residential Center
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Future minimum lease payments	$ 56,900,000		$ 56,900,000
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Other Assets
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
ROU asset	83,900,000		83,900,000
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Current portion of lease liability	26,800,000		26,800,000
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Other Liabilities
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Long-term portion of liability	$ 57,700,000		$ 57,700,000