Summary of Capital Expenditures Including Accrued Amounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 105,338	$ 40,794
Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	6,677	19,956
Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	654	1,463
CoreCivic Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	95,949	15,903
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 2,058	$ 3,472