<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.25.4</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>395</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>500</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>144</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>9</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>75000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>75010 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheets1</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>75020 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>75030 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>75040 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows1</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>75050 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>75060 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity1</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995445 - Disclosure - Insider Trading Arrangements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/role/InsiderTradingArrangements</Role>
      <ShortName>Insider Trading Arrangements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995447 - Disclosure - Insider Trading Policies and Procedures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/role/InsiderTradingPoliciesProc</Role>
      <ShortName>Insider Trading Policies and Procedures</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995457 - Disclosure - Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, and Governance</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCybersecurityRiskManagementStrategyAndGovernance</Role>
      <ShortName>Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, and Governance</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995467 - Disclosure - ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureORGANIZATIONANDOPERATIONS</Role>
      <ShortName>ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995477 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIES</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995487 - Disclosure - REAL ESTATE AND RELATED ASSETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureREALESTATEANDRELATEDASSETS</Role>
      <ShortName>REAL ESTATE AND RELATED ASSETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995497 - Disclosure - LEASES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureLEASES</Role>
      <ShortName>LEASES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995507 - Disclosure - REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureREALESTATETRANSACTIONS</Role>
      <ShortName>REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995517 - Disclosure - BUSINESS COMBINATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinations</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS COMBINATIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995527 - Disclosure - OTHER ASSETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureOTHERASSETS</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER ASSETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995537 - Disclosure - ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureACCOUNTSPAYABLEACCRUEDEXPENSESANDOTHERLONGTERMLIABILITIES</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995547 - Disclosure - DEBT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureDEBT</Role>
      <ShortName>DEBT</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995557 - Disclosure - DEFERRED REVENUE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureDEFERREDREVENUE</Role>
      <ShortName>DEFERRED REVENUE</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995567 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureINCOMETAXES</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995577 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995587 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureEARNINGSPERSHARE</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995597 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureCOMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIES</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995607 - Disclosure - SEGMENT REPORTING</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSEGMENTREPORTING</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT REPORTING</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995617 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSUBSEQUENTEVENTS</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995627 - Disclosure - SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE ASSETS AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSCHEDULEIIIREALESTATEASSETSANDACCUMULATEDDEPRECIATION</Role>
      <ShortName>SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE ASSETS AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995637 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995647 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIES</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995657 - Disclosure - REAL ESTATE AND RELATED ASSETS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureREALESTATEANDRELATEDASSETSTables</Role>
      <ShortName>REAL ESTATE AND RELATED ASSETS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureREALESTATEANDRELATEDASSETS</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995667 - Disclosure - LEASES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureLEASESTables</Role>
      <ShortName>LEASES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureLEASES</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995677 - Disclosure - REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureREALESTATETRANSACTIONSTables</Role>
      <ShortName>REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureREALESTATETRANSACTIONS</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995687 - Disclosure - BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinations</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995697 - Disclosure - OTHER ASSETS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureOTHERASSETSTables</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER ASSETS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureOTHERASSETS</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995707 - Disclosure - ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureACCOUNTSPAYABLEACCRUEDEXPENSESANDOTHERLONGTERMLIABILITIESTables</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureACCOUNTSPAYABLEACCRUEDEXPENSESANDOTHERLONGTERMLIABILITIES</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995717 - Disclosure - DEBT (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureDEBTTables</Role>
      <ShortName>DEBT (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureDEBT</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995727 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureINCOMETAXESTables</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureINCOMETAXES</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995737 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYTables</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995747 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureEARNINGSPERSHARETables</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureEARNINGSPERSHARE</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995757 - Disclosure - SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSEGMENTREPORTINGTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSEGMENTREPORTING</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995767 - Disclosure - ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOrganizationAndOperationsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995777 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995787 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Schedule of Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesScheduleOfReconciliationOfCashCashEquivalentsAndRestrictedCashDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Schedule of Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995797 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Schedule of Useful Life of Property and Equipment (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesScheduleOfUsefulLifeOfPropertyAndEquipmentDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Schedule of Useful Life of Property and Equipment (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995807 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Schedule of Financial Instruments Having Difference Between Carrying Amount and Fair Value (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesScheduleOfFinancialInstrumentsHavingDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndFairValueDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Schedule of Financial Instruments Having Difference Between Carrying Amount and Fair Value (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995817 - Disclosure - REAL ESTATE AND RELATED ASSETS - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRealEstateAndRelatedAssetsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>REAL ESTATE AND RELATED ASSETS - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995827 - Disclosure - REAL ESTATE AND RELATED ASSETS (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRealEstateAndRelatedAssetsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>REAL ESTATE AND RELATED ASSETS (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureREALESTATEANDRELATEDASSETSTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995837 - Disclosure - LEASES - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>LEASES - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995847 - Disclosure - LEASES - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfFutureMinimumLeasePaymentsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>LEASES - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995877 - Disclosure - LEASES - Schedule of Future Undiscounted Cash Flows to be Received from Third-Party Lessees for Company's Operating Leases and Finance Leases (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfFutureUndiscountedCashFlowsToBeReceivedFromThirdpartyLesseesForCompanysOperatingLeasesAndFinanceLeasesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>LEASES - Schedule of Future Undiscounted Cash Flows to be Received from Third-Party Lessees for Company's Operating Leases and Finance Leases (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995897 - Disclosure - REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRealEstateTransactionsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995907 - Disclosure - REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS - Idled Facilities and Respective Carrying Values Excluding Equipment and Other Assets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRealEstateTransactionsIdledFacilitiesAndRespectiveCarryingValuesExcludingEquipmentAndOtherAssetsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS - Idled Facilities and Respective Carrying Values Excluding Equipment and Other Assets (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995917 - Disclosure - BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Additional Information) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Additional Information) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995927 - Disclosure - BUSINESS COMBINATIONS - Schedule of Allocating the Purchse Price for the Transation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsScheduleOfAllocatingThePurchsePriceForTheTransationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS COMBINATIONS - Schedule of Allocating the Purchse Price for the Transation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995947 - Disclosure - OTHER ASSETS - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOtherAssetsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER ASSETS - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995957 - Disclosure - OTHER ASSETS - Schedule of Other Assets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOtherAssetsScheduleOfOtherAssetsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER ASSETS - Schedule of Other Assets (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995967 - Disclosure - OTHER ASSETS - Schedule of Other Assets (Parenthetical) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOtherAssetsScheduleOfOtherAssetsParentheticalDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER ASSETS - Schedule of Other Assets (Parenthetical) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995977 - Disclosure - Other ASSETS - Estimated Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOtherAssetsEstimatedAmortizationExpenseRelatedToIntangibleAssetsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Other ASSETS - Estimated Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995987 - Disclosure - ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES - Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccountsPayableAccruedExpensesAndOtherLongtermLiabilitiesScheduleOfAccountsPayableAndAccruedExpensesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES - Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995997 - Disclosure - ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES - Other Long Term Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccountsPayableAccruedExpensesAndOtherLongtermLiabilitiesOtherLongTermLiabilitiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES - Other Long Term Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996007 - Disclosure - DEBT - Schedule of Debt Outstanding (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDebtScheduleOfDebtOutstandingDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>DEBT - Schedule of Debt Outstanding (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996017 - Disclosure - DEBT - Schedule of Debt Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDebtScheduleOfDebtOutstandingParentheticalDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>DEBT - Schedule of Debt Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996027 - Disclosure - DEBT - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDebtAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>DEBT - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996037 - Disclosure - DEBT - Schedule of Principal Payments (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDebtScheduleOfPrincipalPaymentsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>DEBT - Schedule of Principal Payments (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996047 - Disclosure - DEFERRED REVENUE - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDeferredRevenueAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>DEFERRED REVENUE - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996057 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996067 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesComponentsOfIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES - Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996077 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996087 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of Income Tax Provision at Statutory Income Tax Rate and Effective Tax Rate (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesReconciliationOfIncomeTaxProvisionAtStatutoryIncomeTaxRateAndEffectiveTaxRateDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of Income Tax Provision at Statutory Income Tax Rate and Effective Tax Rate (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996097 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of Income Tax Provision at Statutory Income Tax Rate and Effective Tax Rate (Parenthetical) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesReconciliationOfIncomeTaxProvisionAtStatutoryIncomeTaxRateAndEffectiveTaxRateParentheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of Income Tax Provision at Statutory Income Tax Rate and Effective Tax Rate (Parenthetical) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996107 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Annual Income Taxes Paid (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesAnnualIncomeTaxesPaidDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES - Annual Income Taxes Paid (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996137 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Share Repurchase Program (Additional Information) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityShareRepurchaseProgramAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Share Repurchase Program (Additional Information) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996147 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Schedule of Share Repurchase Program Increase in Authorization (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityScheduleOfShareRepurchaseProgramIncreaseInAuthorizationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Schedule of Share Repurchase Program Increase in Authorization (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996157 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996167 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Preferred Stock (Additional Information) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityPreferredStockAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Preferred Stock (Additional Information) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996177 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Summary of Nonvested RSU Transactions (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquitySummaryOfNonvestedRsuTransactionsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Summary of Nonvested RSU Transactions (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996197 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE - Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareScheduleOfCalculationOfNumeratorAndDenominatorInEarningsPerShareDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE - Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996217 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996227 - Disclosure - SEGMENT REPORTING - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT REPORTING - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996237 - Disclosure - 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)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingScheduleOfRevenueAndFacilityNetOperatingIncomeForEachOfTheThreeSegmentsAndAReconciliationToCorecivicsOperating</Role>
      <ShortName>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)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996247 - Disclosure - SEGMENT REPORTING - Schedule Of Significant Segment Expense Along With Other Segment Operating Expenses (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingScheduleOfSignificantSegmentExpenseAlongWithOtherSegmentOperatingExpensesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT REPORTING - Schedule Of Significant Segment Expense Along With Other Segment Operating Expenses (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996257 - Disclosure - SEGMENT REPORTING - Summary of Capital Expenditures Including Accrued Amounts (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingSummaryOfCapitalExpendituresIncludingAccruedAmountsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT REPORTING - Summary of Capital Expenditures Including Accrued Amounts (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996267 - Disclosure - SEGMENT REPORTING - Schedule of Total Assets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingScheduleOfTotalAssetsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT REPORTING - Schedule of Total Assets (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996277 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENTS - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>84</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996287 - Disclosure - Schedule III - Real Estate Assets and Accumulated Depreciation (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureScheduleIIIRealEstateAssetsAndAccumulatedDepreciationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule III - Real Estate Assets and Accumulated Depreciation (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>85</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996297 - Disclosure - Schedule III - Real Estate Assets and Accumulated Depreciation (Parenthetical) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureScheduleIIIRealEstateAssetsAndAccumulatedDepreciationParentheticalDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule III - Real Estate Assets and Accumulated Depreciation (Parenthetical) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>86</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cxw-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>996307 - Disclosure - Schedule III - Real Estate Assets and Accumulated Depreciation Summary of Transactions (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.corecivic.com/20251231/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureScheduleIIIRealEstateAssetsAndAccumulatedDepreciationSummaryOfTransactionsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule III - Real Estate Assets and Accumulated Depreciation Summary of Transactions (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>87</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-K" isDefinitelyFs="true" isUsgaap="true" original="cxw-20251231.htm">cxw-20251231.htm</File>
    <File>cxw-20251231.xsd</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="9">http://fasb.org/srt/2025</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="1391">http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2025</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="15">http://xbrl.sec.gov/cyd/2025</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="39">http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="12">http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2025</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>false</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>false</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
