v3.19.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
May 03, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2019  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Trading Symbol CXW  
Entity Registrant Name CoreCivic, Inc.  
Entity Central Index Key 0001070985  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   119,067,887
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Small Business false