Summary of Capital Expenditures Including Accrued Amounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 19,864	$ 16,787	$ 52,724	$ 134,119
Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	14,598	11,856	33,519	25,261
Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	525	515	1,609	1,553
CoreCivic Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	3,729	3,177	7,034	102,446
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 1,012	$ 1,239	$ 10,562	$ 4,859