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
		Mar. 31, 2025	Mar. 31, 2024
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		$ 488,627	$ 500,686
Operating expenses		374,737	378,103
General and administrative		(36,016)	(36,465)
Depreciation and amortization		(30,518)	(31,730)
Interest expense, net		(15,231)	(18,613)
Expenses associated with debt repayments and refinancing transactions		0	(27,242)
Gain on sale of real estate assets, net		0	568
Other expense		(35)	(58)
Income before income taxes		32,090	9,043
Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating expenses		347,983	350,098
Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating expenses		23,613	24,144
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		488,534	500,685
Operating expenses	[1]	374,719	378,077
Operating income		113,815	122,608
Operating Segments | Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		454,184	457,746
Operating expenses	[1]	347,983	350,098
Operating income		106,201	107,648
Operating Segments | Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		29,708	29,900
Operating expenses	[1]	23,613	24,144
Operating income		6,095	5,756
Operating Segments | CoreCivic Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		4,642	13,039
Operating expenses	[1]	3,123	3,835
Operating income		1,519	9,204
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		93	1
Other operating expense		(18)	(26)
General and administrative		(36,016)	(36,465)
Depreciation and amortization		(30,518)	(31,730)
Interest expense, net		(15,231)	(18,613)
Expenses associated with debt repayments and refinancing transactions		0	(27,242)
Gain on sale of real estate assets, net		0	568
Other expense		$ (35)	$ (58)

[1] Salaries and benefits expense is the only significant reportable segment expense regularly reviewed by the CODM for both the Safety and Community segments and represents the majority of segment-level operating expenses given that substantial staff are required to operate the facilities and is the primary factor that drives operating expenses and profitability. Conversely, the Properties segment does not have a significant segment expense given the fact that those properties are operated by government agencies.