SEGMENT REPORTING - Schedule of Revenue and Facility Net Operating Income for Each of the Three Segments and a Reconciliation to CoreCivic's Operating Income Before Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 490,109	$ 463,682	$ 990,795	$ 921,684
Operating expenses	375,735	362,008	753,838	716,545
General and administrative	33,910	32,612	70,375	65,291
Depreciation and amortization	32,145	31,615	63,875	62,657
Interest expense, net	(17,110)	(18,268)	(35,723)	(37,419)
Expenses associated with debt repayments and refinancing transactions	4,074	226	31,316	226
Gain (loss) on sale of real estate assets, net	0	(25)	568	(25)
Other income	444	78	386	31
Income before income taxes	27,579	19,006	36,622	39,552
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	490,091	463,681	990,776	921,582
Operating expenses	375,717	361,955	753,794	716,429
Operating income	114,374	101,726	236,982	205,153
Operating Segments | Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	455,373	421,743	913,119	839,393
Operating expenses	348,121	335,726	698,219	664,124
Operating income	107,252	86,017	214,900	175,269
Operating Segments | Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	30,302	28,364	60,202	54,778
Operating expenses	24,134	22,905	48,278	45,620
Operating income	6,168	5,459	11,924	9,158
Operating Segments | Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	4,416	13,574	17,455	27,411
Operating expenses	3,462	3,324	7,297	6,685
Operating income	954	10,250	10,158	20,726
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	18	1	19	102
Other operating expense	(18)	(53)	(44)	(116)
General and administrative	(33,910)	(32,612)	(70,375)	(65,291)
Depreciation and amortization	(32,145)	(31,615)	(63,875)	(62,657)
Interest expense, net	(17,110)	(18,268)	(35,723)	(37,419)
Expenses associated with debt repayments and refinancing transactions	(4,074)	(226)	(31,316)	(226)
Gain (loss) on sale of real estate assets, net		(25)	568	(25)
Other income	$ 444	$ 78	$ 386	$ 31