Entity Central Index Key Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Tangible Current Assets And Liabilities Net Amount of expense associated with debt refinancing transactions. Income (Loss) from Equity in Hundred Percent Owned Subsidiaries Document And Entity Information. Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document Information [Table] Document Information [Table] Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Document Information [Line Items] Document Information [Line Items] Document Type Document Type Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Entity Public Float Entity Public Float Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $782 and $1,580, respectively Accounts Receivable Net Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense And Other Assets Current Total current assets Assets Current Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,475,951 and $1,352,323, respectively Property Plant And Equipment Net Goodwill Goodwill Non-current deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net Noncurrent Other assets Other Assets Noncurrent Total assets Assets LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities And Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Current Income taxes payable Accrued Income Taxes Current Current portion of long-term debt Long Term Debt Current Total current liabilities Liabilities Current Long-term debt, net Long Term Debt Noncurrent Deferred revenue Deferred Revenue Noncurrent Other liabilities Other Liabilities Noncurrent Total liabilities Liabilities Commitments and contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Preferred stock – $0.01 par value; 50,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively Preferred Stock Value Common stock – $0.01 par value; 300,000 shares authorized; 118,204 and 117,554 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively Common Stock Value Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid In Capital Common Stock Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Total stockholders' equity Stockholders Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity Accounts receivable, allowance Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Current Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock Shares Issued Preferred stock, shares outstanding Preferred Stock Shares Outstanding Common stock, par value Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock Shares Issued Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock Shares Outstanding Income Statement [Abstract] REVENUES Sales Revenue Services Net EXPENSES: Costs And Expenses [Abstract] Operating Operating Costs And Expenses General and administrative General And Administrative Expense Depreciation and amortization Depreciation And Amortization Restructuring charges Restructuring Charges Asset impairments Asset Impairment Charges Costs and Expenses, Total Costs And Expenses OPERATING INCOME Operating Income Loss OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE: Nonoperating Income Expense [Abstract] Interest expense, net Interest Income Expense Nonoperating Net Expenses associated with debt refinancing transactions Expenses Associated With Debt Refinancing Transactions Other (income) expense Other Nonoperating Income Expense Total non-operating expense (income) Nonoperating Income Expense INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Extraordinary Items Noncontrolling Interest Income tax expense Income Tax Expense Benefit NET INCOME Net Income Loss BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings Per Share Basic DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings Per Share Diluted DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared The cash outflow for facility development and expansions. The cash inflow from a direct financing lease and notes receivable. Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration Cash Paid Cash paid during the period. Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Net income Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Amortization of debt issuance costs and other non-cash interest Amortization Of Financing Costs And Discounts Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Other expenses and non-cash items Other Noncash Expense Non-cash revenue and other income Other Noncash Income Income tax benefit of equity compensation Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation Operating Activities Non-cash equity compensation Share Based Compensation Changes in assets and liabilities, net: Increase Decrease In Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets Increase Decrease In Operating Assets Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities Increase Decrease In Operating Liabilities Income taxes payable Increase Decrease In Accrued Income Taxes Payable Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities [Abstract] Expenditures for facility development and expansions Expenditures For Facility Development And Expansions Expenditures for other capital improvements Payments For Capital Improvements Capitalized lease payments Payments To Acquire Equipment On Lease Acquisitions, net of cash acquired Payments To Acquire Businesses Net Of Cash Acquired Decrease in restricted cash Increase Decrease In Restricted Cash Proceeds from sale of assets Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment (Increase) decrease in other assets Payments For Proceeds From Productive Assets Payments received on direct financing lease and notes receivable Payments Received On Direct Financing Lease And Notes Receivable Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities [Abstract] Proceeds from issuance of debt and borrowings from credit facility Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt Scheduled principal repayments Repayments Of Long Term Debt Other principal repayments of debt Repayments Of Other Long Term Debt Payment of debt issuance and other refinancing and related costs Payments Of Financing Costs Payment of lease obligations Repayments Of Long Term Capital Lease Obligations Contingent consideration for acquisition of businesses Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration Cash Paid Proceeds from exercise of stock options Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised Purchase and retirement of common stock Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock Income tax benefit of equity compensation Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation Financing Activities Decrease in restricted cash for dividends Proceeds From Repayments Of Restricted Cash Financing Activities Dividends paid Payments Of Dividends Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Cash paid during the period for: Cash Paid During Period [Abstract] Interest (net of amounts capitalized of $0, $552, and $5,478 in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively) Interest Paid Net Income taxes paid (refunded), net Income Taxes Paid Net Interest, capitalized interest Interest Paid Capitalized Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Equity Components Statement Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Accumulated Deficit Retained Earnings [Member] Balance Balance (in shares) Shares Outstanding Retirement of common stock Stock Repurchased And Retired During Period Value Retirement of common stock (in shares) Stock Repurchased And Retired During Period Shares Dividends declared on common stock Dividends Common Stock Restricted stock compensation, net of forfeitures Stock Issued During Period Value Restricted Stock Award Net Of Forfeitures Restricted stock compensation, net of forfeitures (in shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares Restricted Stock Award Net Of Forfeitures Stock option compensation expense, net of forfeitures Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Sharebased Compensation Requisite Service Period Recognition Value Income tax benefit of equity compensation Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Tax Effect From Share Based Compensation Restricted stock grants Stock Issued During Period Value Share Based Compensation Restricted stock grants (in shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares Share Based Compensation Stock options exercised Stock Issued During Period Value Stock Options Exercised Stock options exercised (in shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Options Exercised Balance Balance (in shares) Dividends declared on common stock, per share Accounting Policies [Abstract] ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS Nature Of Operations SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] GOODWILL Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block] Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract] PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] The entire disclosure for real estate transactions including acquisitions, real estate closures and idle facilities, sales, construction of new facilities, activations, and other leasing transactions. Text Block [Abstract] REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS Real Estate Transactions [Text Block] Business Combinations [Abstract] BUSINESS COMBINATIONS Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract] Investment, Name Schedule Of Equity Method Investment Equity Method Investee Name [Axis] Investment, Name Equity Method Investee Name [Domain] Agecroft Prison Management Ltd [Member] Agecroft Prison Management Ltd Agecroft Prison Management Ltd [Member] INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATE Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Text Block] Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract] OTHER ASSETS Other Assets Disclosure [Text Block] The entire disclosure for accounts payable, accrued expenses that are classified as current and other noncurrent liabilities. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES Accounts Payable Accrued Liabilities And Other Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] DEBT Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Abstract] DEFERRED REVENUE Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Text Block] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] INCOME TAXES Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Equity [Abstract] STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Reporting [Abstract] SEGMENT REPORTING Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Subsequent Events [Abstract] SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Subsequent Events [Text Block] Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract] CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CORECIVIC AND SUBSIDIARIES Condensed Financial Statements [Text Block] Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation Disclosure [Abstract] SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE ASSETS AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation Disclosure [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Basis Of Accounting Policy Policy [Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Policy [Text Block] Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Trade And Other Accounts Receivable Policy Property and Equipment Property Plant And Equipment Policy [Text Block] Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Other Than Goodwill Impairment Or Disposal Of Long Lived Assets Policy [Text Block] Goodwill Goodwill And Intangible Assets Goodwill Policy Disclosure of accounting policy for investment in affiliates. Investment in Affiliates Investment In Affiliates Policy [Text Block] Debt Issuance Costs Debt Policy [Text Block] Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition Policy [Text Block] Self-Funded Insurance Reserves Self Insurance Reserve Policy [Text Block] Income Taxes Income Tax Policy [Text Block]