Summary of Capital Expenditures Including Accrued Amounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 17,214	$ 11,994	$ 32,860	$ 117,332
Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	13,398	6,728	18,921	13,405
Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	494	384	1,084	1,038
CoreCivic Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	2,290	3,320	3,305	99,269
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 1,032	$ 1,562	$ 9,550	$ 3,620