v3.19.3.a.u2
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Feb. 14, 2020
Jun. 30, 2019
Cover [Abstract]      
Document Type 10-K    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2019    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Trading Symbol CXW    
Entity Registrant Name CORECIVIC, INC.    
Entity Central Index Key 0001070985    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Shell Company false    
Entity Small Business false    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   119,095,550  
Entity Public Float     $ 2,453,588,174
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes    
Entity File Number 001-16109    
Entity Tax Identification Number 62-1763875    
Entity Address, Address Line One 5501 VIRGINIA WAY    
Entity Address, City or Town BRENTWOOD    
Entity Address, State or Province TN    
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 37027    
City Area Code 615    
Local Phone Number 263-3000    
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, par value $.01 per share    
Security Exchange Name NYSE    
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code MD    
Document Annual Report true    
Document Transition Report false    
Documents Incorporated by Reference Portions of the registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, currently scheduled to be held on May 14, 2020, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.