Summary of Capital Expenditures Including Accrued Amounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 44,858	$ 298,897	$ 154,774	$ 394,322
Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	19,088	13,166	58,015	38,018
Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	657	1,202	3,381	9,621
CoreCivic Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	20,235	282,968	80,329	336,670
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 4,878	$ 1,561	$ 13,049	$ 10,013