Summary of Capital Expenditures Including Accrued Amounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 190,741	$ 487,136	$ 114,747
Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	77,662	94,559	55,712
Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	5,859	15,689	35,489
CoreCivic Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	95,109	365,628	18,327
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 12,111	$ 11,260	$ 5,219