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, 2025	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2025	Jun. 30, 2024
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		$ 538,165	$ 490,109	$ 1,026,792	$ 990,795
Operating expenses		398,342	375,735	773,079	753,838
General and administrative		43,882	33,910	79,898	70,375
Depreciation and amortization		31,108	32,145	61,626	63,875
Interest expense, net		(12,539)	(17,110)	(27,770)	(35,723)
Expenses associated with debt repayments and refinancing transactions		0	4,074	0	31,316
Gain on sale of real estate assets, net		0	0	0	568
Other income (expense)		(35)	444	(70)	386
Income before income taxes		52,259	27,579	84,349	36,622
Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating expenses		372,653	348,121	720,636	698,219
Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating expenses		23,528	24,134	47,141	48,278
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		538,165	490,091	1,026,699	990,776
Operating expenses	[1]	398,324	375,717	773,043	753,794
Operating income		139,841	114,374	253,656	236,982
Operating Segments | Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		503,339	455,373	957,523	913,119
Operating expenses	[1]	372,653	348,121	720,636	698,219
Operating income		130,686	107,252	236,887	214,900
Operating Segments | Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		30,134	30,302	59,842	60,202
Operating expenses	[1]	23,528	24,134	47,141	48,278
Operating income		6,606	6,168	12,701	11,924
Operating Segments | Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		4,692	4,416	9,334	17,455
Operating expenses	[1]	2,143	3,462	5,266	7,297
Operating income		2,549	954	4,068	10,158
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		0	18	93	19
Other operating expense		(18)	(18)	(36)	(44)
General and administrative		(43,882)	(33,910)	(79,898)	(70,375)
Depreciation and amortization		(31,108)	(32,145)	(61,626)	(63,875)
Interest expense, net		(12,539)	(17,110)	(27,770)	(35,723)
Expenses associated with debt repayments and refinancing transactions		0	(4,074)	0	(31,316)
Gain on sale of real estate assets, net		0	0	0	568
Other income (expense)		$ (35)	$ 444	$ (70)	$ 386

[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.