Summary of Capital Expenditures Including Accrued Amounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 15,615	$ 15,646
Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	14,327	5,523
Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	272	590
CoreCivic Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures		1,015
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 1,016	$ 8,518