Goodwill - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($) Bed	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Establishment of goodwill	This goodwill was established in connection with multiple business combination transactions.
Goodwill	$ 48,569	$ 50,537
Two Managed-only Facilities
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charges	$ 2,000
Silverdale Detention Center
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility | Bed	1,046
Metro Davidson County Detention Facility
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility | Bed	1,348
CoreCivic Safety
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 6,000	7,900
Number of beds at the facility | Bed	72,000
CoreCivic Community
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 42,600	$ 42,600