Summary of Capital Expenditures Including Accrued Amounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 16,787	$ 44,858	$ 134,119	$ 154,774
Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	11,856	19,088	25,261	58,015
Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	515	657	1,553	3,381
CoreCivic Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	3,177	20,235	102,446	80,329
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 1,239	$ 4,878	$ 4,859	$ 13,049