Commitments, Contingencies and Other (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) facility bed	Feb. 08, 2017 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimate of possible loss	$ 19.6
Estimated construction capital project cost	239.5
Cost already spent on existing capital projects	129.7
Remaining capital required for capital projects	$ 109.8
Number of vacant beds at idle facilities marketed to potential customers | bed	5,400
Number of marketed idle facilities | facility	5
Property and Equipment
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Carrying values of idle facilities marketed to potential customers	$ 138.5
Pending Litigation | Attorney General of Mississippi vs Company, Cornell Companies, Inc., Christopher B Epps And Cecil McCrory
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Contracts disputed		$ 256.0