Goodwill - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) Bed	Dec. 31, 2020 Bed	Oct. 31, 2020 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 | Forecast
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility | Bed			1,046
Metro Davidson County Detention Facility | Subsequent Event
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