Summary of Capital Expenditures Including Accrued Amounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 15,646	$ 105,338
Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	5,523	6,677
Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	590	654
CoreCivic Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	1,015	95,949
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 8,518	$ 2,058