CoreCivic (CXW) 10-Q 7 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'CXW	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CORRECTIONS CORP OF AMERICA	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001070985	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	115,848,428

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$70,094	$62,804
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,112 and $2,410 respectively	220,037	247,084
Current deferred tax assets	5,174	8,022
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	27,434	26,383
Current assets of discontinued operations	541	6,449
Total current assets	323,280	350,742
Property and equipment, net	2,546,904	2,566,482
Restricted cash	5,835	5,022
Investment in direct financing lease	5,994	7,467
Goodwill	17,229	11,158
Non-current deferred tax assets	2,959	'
Other assets	65,956	30,701
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	25	3,170
Total assets	2,968,182	2,974,742
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	228,296	164,529
Income taxes payable	964	102
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	1,066	1,827
Total current liabilities	230,326	166,458
Long-term debt	1,185,000	1,111,545
Deferred tax liabilities	'	139,526
Other liabilities	45,908	35,593
Total liabilities	1,461,234	1,453,122
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Preferred stock - $0.01 par value; 50,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	'	'
Common stock - $0.01 par value; 300,000 shares authorized; 115,831 and 100,105 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	1,158	1,001
Additional paid-in capital	1,721,497	1,146,488
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	-215,707	374,131
Total stockholders' equity	1,506,948	1,521,620
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$2,968,182	$2,974,742

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accounts receivable, allowance	$1,112	$2,410
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000	50,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	'	'
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000	300,000
Common stock, shares issued	115,831	100,105
Common stock, shares outstanding	115,831	100,105

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
REVENUE:	$421,466	$435,727	$1,263,194	$1,295,980
EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'
Operating	301,489	305,591	903,712	920,065
General and administrative	23,570	22,015	80,162	66,950
Depreciation and amortization	28,151	28,388	83,203	84,656
Asset impairments	985	'	985	'
Costs and Expenses, Total	354,195	355,994	1,068,062	1,071,671
OPERATING INCOME	67,271	79,733	195,132	224,309
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net	10,378	13,722	34,856	45,341
Expenses associated with debt refinancing transactions	'	168	36,528	1,996
Other income	-184	-422	-120	-370
Total non-operating expense (income)	10,194	13,468	71,264	46,967
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	57,077	66,265	123,868	177,342
Income tax benefit (expense)	-4,571	-24,025	133,253	-65,634
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	52,506	42,240	257,121	111,708
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	-663	99	-3,757	-355
NET INCOME	$51,843	$42,339	$253,364	$111,353
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE:	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$0.46	$0.42	$2.38	$1.12
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	($0.01)	'	($0.03)	'
Net income	$0.45	$0.42	$2.35	$1.12
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$0.45	$0.42	$2.35	$1.11
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	($0.01)	'	($0.03)	'
Net income	$0.44	$0.42	$2.32	$1.11
Regular Dividend	'	'	'	'
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:	'	'	'	'
Dividend declared on common stock, per share	$0.48	$0.20	$1.49	$0.40
Special Dividend	'	'	'	'
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:	'	'	'	'
Dividend declared on common stock, per share	'	'	$6.66	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net income	$253,364	$111,353
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	84,002	85,301
Expenses associated with debt refinancing transactions	36,528	1,996
Asset impairments	3,622	'
Amortization of debt issuance costs and other non-cash interest	2,740	3,280
Deferred income taxes	-146,881	3,585
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	-40	-2,291
Non-cash equity compensation	9,695	9,116
Other expenses and non-cash items	1,608	662
Changes in assets and liabilities, net:	'	'
Accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	33,634	28,916
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	4,430	-20,161
Income taxes payable	902	1,294
Net cash provided by operating activities	283,604	223,051
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Expenditures for facility development and expansions	-18,292	-25,427
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	-36,249	'
Expenditures for other capital improvements	-27,482	-35,738
Proceeds from sale of assets	443	496
Increase in other assets	-2,367	-2,787
Payments received on direct financing lease and notes receivable	1,379	1,156
Net cash used in investing activities	-82,568	-62,300
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt	1,183,000	808,500
Principal repayments of debt	-1,118,000	-923,500
Payment of debt issuance and other refinancing and related costs	-37,242	-6,328
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	40	2,291
Purchase and retirement of common stock	-5,454	-2,481
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	28,538	4,015
Increase in restricted cash	-810	'
Dividends paid	-243,782	-39,838
Net cash used in financing activities	-193,710	-157,341
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	7,326	3,410
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	62,897	55,832
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	70,223	59,242
Cash paid during the period for:	'	'
Interest (net of amounts capitalized of $504 and $837 in 2013 and 2012, respectively)	22,312	44,978
Income taxes	$6,066	$59,645

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas1

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Interest, capitalized interest	$504	$837

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Special Dividend	Regular Dividend	Common Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Retained Earnings	Retained Earnings
In Thousands					Special Dividend		Special Dividend		Special Dividend	Regular Dividend
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$1,408,022	'	'	$995	'	$1,129,435	'	$277,592	'	'
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	'	'	'	99,528	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	111,353	'	'	'	'	'	'	111,353	'	'
Issuance of common stock	19	'	'	'	'	19	'	'	'	'
Retirement of common stock (in shares)	'	'	'	-100	'	'	'	'	'	'
Retirement of common stock	-2,481	'	'	-1	'	-2,480	'	'	'	'
Dividend on common stock	'	'	-40,138	'	'	'	'	'	'	-40,138
Restricted stock compensation, net of forfeitures (in shares)	'	'	'	-13	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock compensation, net of forfeitures	5,604	'	'	'	'	5,604	'	'	'	'
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	2,191	'	'	'	'	2,191	'	'	'	'
Stock option compensation expense, net of forfeitures	3,493	'	'	'	'	3,493	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock grant (in shares)	'	'	'	332	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock grant	'	'	'	3	'	-3	'	'	'	'
Stock options exercised (in shares)	'	'	'	301	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock options exercised	4,015	'	'	3	'	4,012	'	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	1,492,078	'	'	1,000	'	1,142,271	'	348,807	'	'
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2012	'	'	'	100,048	'	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	1,521,620	'	'	1,001	'	1,146,488	'	374,131	'	'
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	'	'	100,105	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	253,364	'	'	'	'	'	'	253,364	'	'
Issuance of common stock (in shares)	'	'	'	20	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock	20	'	'	'	'	20	'	'	'	'
Retirement of common stock (in shares)	'	'	'	-144	'	'	'	'	'	'
Retirement of common stock	-5,454	'	'	-1	'	-5,453	'	'	'	'
Dividend on common stock (in shares)	'	'	'	'	13,878	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend on common stock	'	-135,546	-165,309	'	139	'	542,541	'	-678,226	-165,309
Restricted stock compensation, net of forfeitures (in shares)	'	'	'	-23	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock compensation, net of forfeitures	7,307	'	'	'	'	6,974	'	333	'	'
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	40	'	'	'	'	40	'	'	'	'
Stock option compensation expense, net of forfeitures	2,368	'	'	'	'	2,368	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock grant (in shares)	'	'	'	300	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock grant	'	'	'	3	'	-3	'	'	'	'
Stock options exercised (in shares)	'	'	'	1,695	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock options exercised	28,538	'	'	16	'	28,522	'	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$1,506,948	'	'	$1,158	'	$1,721,497	'	($215,707)	'	'
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2013	'	'	'	115,831	'	'	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc1

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Special Dividend	'	'	'	'
Dividend on common stock, per share	'	'	$6.66	'
Regular Dividend	'	'	'	'
Dividend on common stock, per share	$0.48	$0.20	$1.49	$0.40

Organization_and_Operations

Organization and Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization and Operations	'
	1	ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS
	Corrections Corporation of America (the “Company” and, together with its subsidiaries, “CCA”) is the nation’s largest owner of privatized correctional and detention facilities and one of the largest prison operators in the United States, behind only the federal government and three states. CCA currently owns or controls 53 correctional and detention facilities, and manages an additional 16 facilities owned by its government partners, with a total design capacity of approximately 90,000 beds in 20 states and the District of Columbia.
	CCA specializes in owning, operating, and managing prisons and other correctional facilities and providing inmate residential, community re-entry and prisoner transportation services for governmental agencies. In addition to providing the fundamental residential services relating to inmates, CCA’s facilities offer a variety of rehabilitation and educational programs, including basic education, religious services, life skills and employment training, and substance abuse treatment. These services are intended to reduce recidivism and to prepare inmates for their successful re-entry into society upon their release. CCA also provides inmates health care (including medical, dental and mental health services), food services, and work and recreational programs.
	CCA began operating as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax purposes effective January 1, 2013. In connection with this conversion to a REIT, CCA reorganized its corporate structure and began performing its correctional services and conducting other business activities through taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). A TRS is a subsidiary of a REIT that is subject to applicable corporate income tax and certain qualification requirements. The Company’s use of TRSs enables CCA to continue to provide correctional services at facilities it owns and at facilities owned by its government partners and to engage in certain other business activities while complying with REIT qualification requirements. The Company’s use of TRSs also allows it to retain income generated by these TRSs for reinvestment without the requirement of distributing those earnings. Consequently, income taxes recorded in 2013 and 2012 are not comparable. See Note 10.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	2	BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company and, in the opinion of management, reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of results for the unaudited interim periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be obtained for the full fiscal year. Reference is made to the audited financial statements of CCA included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 27, 2013 (File No. 001-16109) (the “2012 Form 10-K”) with respect to certain significant accounting and financial reporting policies as well as other pertinent information of the Company.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	To meet the reporting requirements of Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 825, “Financial Instruments”, regarding fair value of financial instruments, CCA calculates the estimated fair value of financial instruments using market interest rates and quoted market prices of similar instruments or discounted cash flow techniques with observable Level 2 inputs, as defined in ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement”. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no material differences between the carrying amounts and the estimated fair values of CCA’s financial instruments, other than as follows (in thousands):
			September 30, 2013						December 31, 2012
			Carrying			Fair Value			Carrying			Fair Value
			Amount						Amount
	Investment in direct financing lease		$	7,928		$	9,235		$	9,233		$	10,852
	Note receivable from APM		$	4,729		$	8,991		$	4,819		$	8,678
	Debt		$	(1,185,000	)	$	(1,152,750	)	$	(1,111,545	)	$	(1,152,550	)

Goodwill

Goodwill	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill	'
	3	GOODWILL
	ASC 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other”, establishes accounting and reporting requirements for goodwill and other intangible assets. Goodwill was $17.2 and $11.2 million, net of discontinued operations, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. This goodwill was established in connection with the acquisition of Correctional Alternatives, Inc. (“CAI”) during the third quarter of 2013 (see Note 4) and the acquisitions of two service companies during 2000.
	In September 2011, CCA early adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s ASU 2011-08 that gives companies the option to perform a qualitative assessment that may allow them to skip the annual two-step impairment test. Under the amendments in ASU 2011-08, a company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. If the two-step impairment test is required, CCA determines the fair value of a reporting unit using a collaboration of various common valuation techniques, including market multiples and discounted cash flows. These impairment tests are required to be performed at least annually. CCA performs its impairment tests during the fourth quarter, in connection with CCA’s annual budgeting process. CCA will perform these impairment tests at least annually and whenever circumstances indicate the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable.
	During the third quarter of 2013, CCA reported an asset impairment of $1.0 million for the write-off of goodwill associated with the Idaho Correctional Center. During the second quarter of 2013, the state of Idaho reported that they expected to solicit bids for the management of the Idaho Correctional Center upon the expiration of CCA’s contract in June 2014. During the third quarter of 2013, CCA decided not to submit a bid and, therefore, expects to transition management to another operator upon expiration of the contract. CCA generated operating income of $0.2 million and $1.0 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, and incurred operating losses of $1.1 million (including the write-off of goodwill) and $0.7 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	During the second quarter of 2013, CCA received notification that it was not selected for the continued management of the Wilkinson County Correctional Facility at the end of the contract on June 30, 2013. As a result of this managed-only contract termination, during the second quarter of 2013, CCA recorded asset impairments of $2.6 million consisting of a goodwill impairment charge of $0.8 million and $1.8 million for other assets. These charges are reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Facility_Activation_Acquisitio

Facility Activation, Acquisitions, Developments, and Closures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Facility Activation, Acquisitions, Developments, and Closures	'
	4	FACILITY ACTIVATIONS, ACQUISITIONS, DEVELOPMENTS, AND CLOSURES
	On July 31, 2013, CCA acquired all of the stock of CAI, a privately held San Diego, California-based community corrections company that specializes in residential re-entry, home detention, and work furlough programs for San Diego County, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and United States Pretrial and Probation. CCA acquired CAI as a strategic investment in a complementary business that broadens the scope of solutions it provides, expanding the range of solutions from incarceration through release, and supporting its belief in helping inmates successfully transition to society. The consideration paid for CAI, consisted of approximately $36.5 million in cash, excluding transaction related expenses. In allocating the purchase price, CCA recorded $7.0 million of goodwill, $26.9 million of identifiable intangible assets, $7.9 million of intangible liabilities, $17.7 million of net tangible assets, and $7.2 million of deferred tax liabilities. The allocation of purchase price is preliminary and may be subject to change within the measurement period of one year from the acquisition date. The primary areas of the preliminary purchase price allocation that are not finalized include determining the composition and valuation of intangible assets and goodwill. The results of operations for CAI have been included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.
	During the second quarter of 2013, CCA announced that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (“TDCJ”) elected not to renew its contracts for the CCA owned and operated 2,103-bed Mineral Wells Pre-Parole Transfer Facility and the 2,216-bed managed-only Dawson State Jail due to a legislative budget reduction. As a result, upon expiration of the contracts in August 2013, CCA ceased operations of the Dawson State Jail and idled the Mineral Wells facility. During the second quarter of 2013, CCA performed an impairment analysis of the Mineral Wells property, which has a carrying value of $18.3 million as of September 30, 2013, and concluded that this asset has recoverable values in excess of the carrying value. CCA is currently marketing the Mineral Wells facility to potential customers.
	During June 2013, the Kentucky Department of Corrections (“KDOC”) provided CCA notice that it was not going to award a contract under a contract bid that would have allowed for the KDOC’s continued use of CCA’s owned and operated 826-bed Marion Adjustment Center. CCA idled the Marion Adjustment Center following the transfer of the population during September 2013, but will continue to market the facility to other customers. As a result of the notification, CCA performed an impairment analysis of the Marion Adjustment Center property, which has a carrying value of $13.5 million as of September 30, 2013, and concluded that this asset has recoverable values in excess of the carrying value.
	In addition to these two newly idled facilities, CCA has previously idled additional facilities that are also currently available and being actively marketed to other customers. The following table summarizes each of the idled facilities and their respective carrying values, excluding equipment and other assets that could generally be transferred and used at other facilities CCA owns without significant cost (dollars in thousands):
			Design		Date		Net Carrying Values
	Facility		Capacity		Idled		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Queensgate Correctional Facility			850		2008	$	11,902	$	12,073
	Shelby Training Center			200		2008		853		1,155
	Trousdale County, TN (Pre-construction)			—		2009		28,485		28,460
	Prairie Correctional Facility			1,600		2010		19,653		20,503
	Huerfano County Correctional Center			752		2010		19,997		20,603
	Diamondback Correctional Facility			2,160		2010		44,474		45,475
	Otter Creek Correctional Center			656		2012		25,015		25,685
	Houston Educational Facility			—		2012		6,520		6,657
	Mineral Wells Pre-Parole Transfer Facility			2,103		2013		18,272		19,063
	Marion Adjustment Center			826		2013		13,545		13,720
				9,147			$	188,716	$	193,394
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, CCA incurred $5.2 million in operating expenses during the period such facilities were idle.
	CCA tested each of the aforementioned facilities for impairment when it was notified by the respective customers that they would no longer be utilizing such facility or, in the case of the Trousdale County facility, upon suspension of construction. CCA concluded in each case that no impairment had occurred. CCA updates the impairment analyses on an annual basis for each of the idled facilities and for the suspended construction project in Trousdale County, Tennessee, and evaluates on a quarterly basis market developments for the potential utilization of each of these facilities in order to identify events that may cause CCA to reconsider its most recent assumptions. As a result of CCA’s analyses, CCA determined each of these assets to have recoverable values in excess of the corresponding carrying values.
	In order to retain federal inmate populations CCA currently manages in the 1,154-bed San Diego Correctional Facility, CCA is constructing a new facility at a site in San Diego. The existing San Diego Correctional Facility is subject to a ground lease with the County of San Diego. Under the provisions of the lease, the facility is divided into different premises whereby, pursuant to an amendment to the ground lease executed in January 2010, ownership of the entire facility reverts to the County upon expiration of the lease on December 31, 2015. As of September 30, 2013, CCA has invested approximately $50.9 million in the new facility. CCA has developed plans to build a detention facility and a construction timeline that coincides with the expiration of the ground lease with the County of San Diego. CCA plans to offer this new facility to house the existing federal inmate populations at the San Diego Correctional Facility.
	In September 2012, CCA announced that it was awarded a new management contract from the Arizona Department of Corrections to house up to 1,000 medium-security inmates at its 1,596-bed Red Rock Correctional Center in Arizona. The new management contract contains an initial term of ten years, with two five-year renewal options upon mutual agreement and provides an occupancy guarantee of 90% of the contracted beds, which is expected to be implemented in two phases. CCA expects to begin receiving approximately 500 inmates from Arizona beginning in January of 2014 and an additional 500 inmates during the first quarter of 2015. Additionally, the contract provides the state of Arizona an option to purchase the Red Rock facility at any time during the term of the contract, including extension options, based on an amortization schedule starting with the fair market value and decreasing evenly to zero over the twenty-year term. In order to prepare the Red Rock facility to house Arizona inmates under this contract, CCA expects to incur approximately $20.5 million in capital improvements for certain physical plant modifications. As of September 30, 2013, CCA managed approximately 500 inmates for the state of California at its Red Rock facility.
	In October 2013, CCA entered into a lease for its 2,304-bed California City Correctional Center with the state of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (the “CDCR”). The lease agreement includes a three-year base term commencing December 1, 2013, with unlimited two-year renewal options upon mutual agreement. Annual rent during the three-year base term is fixed at $28.5 million. After the three-year base term, the rent will be increased annually by the lesser of CPI (Consumer Price Index) or 2%. CCA will be responsible for repairs and maintenance, property taxes and property insurance, while all other aspects and costs of facility operations will be the responsibility of the CDCR.
	In November 2013, CCA announced its decision to construct the 2,500-bed Trousdale Correctional Center in Trousdale County, Tennessee. CCA expects it will house state of Tennessee inmates under an inter-governmental agreement with the county of Trousdale, Tennessee. In October 2013, Trousdale County received notice from the Tennessee Department of Corrections of its intent to partner with the County to develop a new correctional facility to house State of Tennessee inmates. CCA is in discussions with Trousdale County officials regarding an agreement to provide and manage the correctional facility. In 2008, CCA purchased land in Trousdale County and began preparing the site for the development of a correctional facility. Total cost of the project is estimated at approximately $140.0 million, including costs invested to date. Construction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2015.
	During the third quarter of 2013, CCA began hiring staff at the Diamondback Correctional Facility in order to reactivate the facility for future operations. While CCA has begun to incur expenditures associated with the activation of these beds, we do not have a current customer contract and can provide no assurance that we will enter into a contract for the utilization of these beds.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations	'
	5	DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
	In November 2011, CCA announced its joint decision with the state of Mississippi to cease operations at the state-owned 1,172-bed Delta Correctional Facility in Greenwood, Mississippi. In December 2011, CCA began the process of transferring the population of approximately 900 inmates from the facility, which was completed in January 2012.
	During the second quarter of 2013, CCA announced that the TDCJ elected not to renew its contract for the 2,216-bed managed-only Dawson State Jail due to a legislative budget reduction. As a result, upon expiration of the contract in August 2013, CCA ceased operations of the Dawson State Jail. During the second quarter of 2013, CCA also received notification that it was not selected for the continued management of the 1,000-bed Wilkinson County Correctional Facility at the end of the contract on June 30, 2013.
	Accordingly, the results of operations, net of taxes, and the assets and liabilities of these three facilities have been reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The following table summarizes the results of operations for the facilities classified as discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
			For the Three Months						For the Nine Months
			Ended September 30,						Ended September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	REVENUE:
	Managed-only		$	2,007		$	9,126		$	19,984		$	27,237
				2,007			9,126			19,984			27,237
	EXPENSES:
	Managed-only			2,945			8,747			22,529			27,252
	Depreciation and amortization			124			224			799			645
	Asset impairments			—			—			2,637			—
				3,069			8,971			25,965			27,897
	OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME			(1,062	)		155			(5,981	)		(660	)
	Other (expense) income			(16	)		—			(17	)		90
	(LOSS) INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES			(1,078	)		155			(5,998	)		(570	)
	Income tax benefit (expense)			415			(56	)		2,241			215
	(LOSS) INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAXES		$	(663	)	$	99		$	(3,757	)	$	(355	)
	The assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations presented in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are as follows (in thousands):
			September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	129		$	93
	Accounts receivable			67			5,680
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets			345			676
	Total current assets			541			6,449
	Property and equipment, net			—			2,309
	Goodwill			—			831
	Other assets			25			30
	Total assets		$	566		$	9,619
	LIABILITIES
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	1,066		$	1,827
	Total current liabilities		$	1,066		$	1,827

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt	'
	6	DEBT
	Debt outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consists of the following (in thousands):
			September 30,		December 31,
			2013		2012
	Revolving Credit Facility, principal due at maturity in December 2017; interest payable periodically at variable interest rates. The weighted average rate at both September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was 1.7%.		$	510,000	$	655,000
	4.625% Senior Notes, principal due at maturity in May 2023; interest payable semi-annually in May and November at 4.625%.			350,000		—
	4.125% Senior Notes, principal due at maturity in April 2020; interest payable semi-annually in April and October at 4.125%.			325,000		—
	7.75% Senior Notes, principal due at maturity in June 2017; interest payable semi-annually in June and December at 7.75%. These notes were redeemed during 2013 as further described hereafter.			—		456,545
			$	1,185,000	$	1,111,545
	Revolving Credit Facility. During January 2012, CCA entered into an amended and restated $785.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “$785.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility”). In addition to replacing the previous $450.0 million revolving credit facility, during the first quarter of 2012 the $785.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility was used for the purchase of $335.0 million of CCA’s existing 6.25% Senior Notes and the payment of fees, commissions and expenses in connection with the foregoing as well as for other general corporate purposes. CCA capitalized approximately $6.0 million of new costs associated with the $785.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility.
	During March 2013, CCA further amended the $785.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility to, among other things, increase the commitment size from $785.0 million to $900.0 million, extend the maturity by one year to December 2017, and provide covenant flexibility to operate as a REIT (the “$900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility”). CCA capitalized approximately $2.7 million of new costs associated with the amendment.
	The $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility has an aggregate principal capacity of $900.0 million and has an “accordion” feature that provides for uncommitted incremental extensions of credit in the form of increases in the revolving commitments or incremental term loans in an aggregate principal amount up to an additional $100.0 million as requested by CCA, subject to bank approval. At CCA’s option, interest on outstanding borrowings under the $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility is based on either a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.25% to 1.0% or a London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 2.0% based on CCA’s leverage ratio. The $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility has a $30.0 million sublimit for swing line loans that enables CCA to borrow at the base rate from the Administrative Agent without advance notice.
	Based on CCA’s current leverage ratio, loans under the $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility currently bear interest at the base rate plus a margin of 0.50% or at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.50%, and a commitment fee equal to 0.30% of the unfunded balance. The $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility also has a $50.0 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit. As of September 30, 2013, CCA had $510.0 million in borrowings under the $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility as well as $25.2 million in letters of credit outstanding resulting in $364.8 million available under the $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility.
	The $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility is secured by a pledge of all of the capital stock of CCA’s domestic subsidiaries, 65% of the capital stock of CCA’s foreign subsidiaries, all of CCA’s accounts receivable, and all of CCA’s deposit accounts. The $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility requires CCA to meet certain financial covenants, including, without limitation, a maximum total leverage ratio, a maximum secured leverage ratio, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. As of September 30, 2013, CCA was in compliance with all such covenants. In addition, the $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility contains certain covenants that, among other things, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, acquisitions and other investments, payment of dividends and other customary restricted payments, transactions with affiliates, asset sales, mergers and consolidations, liquidations, prepayments and modifications of other indebtedness, liens and other encumbrances and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. In addition, the $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility is subject to certain cross-default provisions with terms of CCA’s other indebtedness, and is subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of a change control.
	Senior Notes. Concurrent with the closing of the $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility on March 21, 2013, CCA announced its intention to offer up to an aggregate of $675.0 million in aggregate principal amount of new senior notes comprised of senior notes due 2020 and senior notes due 2023. Also on March 21, 2013, CCA commenced a cash tender offer for any and all of its $465.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.75% unsecured senior notes issued in June 2009 (the “7.75% Senior Notes”). Holders who validly tendered their 7.75% Senior Notes before the early tender deadline on April 3, 2013 were entitled to receive total consideration equal to $1,050 per $1,000 principal amount of the 7.75% Senior Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the payment date. The total consideration included $30 per $1,000 principal amount of the 7.75% Senior Notes for those Holders who validly tendered on or prior to the early tender deadline, and $20 per $1,000 principal amount of the 7.75% Senior Notes for Holders who validly tendered following the early tender deadline but on or prior to the expiration of the tender offer on April 17, 2013. On April 4, 2013, CCA announced that it accepted for purchase $315.4 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.75% Senior Notes pursuant to the tender offer for Holders who validly tendered their 7.75% Senior Notes by the early tender deadline. No Holders tendered their 7.75% Senior Notes after the early tender deadline on April 3, 2013. Following the expiration of the tender deadline, CCA redeemed on June 1, 2013 the remaining $149.6 million outstanding 7.75% Senior Notes at a price of 103.875% of par plus accrued interest pursuant to the indenture governing the 7.75% Senior Notes.
	CCA incurred $0.2 million during the first quarter of 2013 for third-party fees and expenses associated with the tender offer, and incurred an additional $36.3 million of charges during the second quarter of 2013 associated with the tender offer and redemption of the 7.75% Senior Notes consisting of the write-off of loan costs and the unamortized discount on the 7.75% Senior Notes, the tender fees and expenses associated with the purchase, and the redemption premium paid on the 7.75% Senior Notes.
	On April 4, 2013, CCA completed the offering of $325.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior notes due April 1, 2020 (the “4.125% Senior Notes”) and $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.625% senior notes due May 1, 2023 (the “4.625% Senior Notes”), collectively referred to herein as the “New Notes”. CCA used a portion of the net proceeds from the offering of the New Notes to fund the tender offer in April 2013 and the redemption of the remaining 7.75% Senior Notes outstanding on June 1, 2013. CCA also used the net proceeds from the sale of the New Notes to fund the $135.0 million payment in cash of up to 20% of its required distribution of C-corporation accumulated earnings and profits in connection with its REIT conversion, as further described in Note 7, to pay other REIT conversion costs and for general corporate purposes.
	The New Notes were offered in the United States to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. In June 2013, CCA completed an offer to exchange the New Notes for new issuances of substantially identical notes that are registered under the Securities Act of 1933.
	The New Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and are guaranteed by all of the Company’s subsidiaries that guarantee the $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility. Interest on the 4.125% Senior Notes is payable in April and October of each year, beginning October 1, 2013. Interest on the 4.625% Senior Notes is payable in May and November of each year, beginning November 1, 2013. CCA may redeem all or part of the New Notes at any time prior to three months before their respective maturity date at a “make-whole” redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date. Thereafter, the New Notes are redeemable at CCA’s option, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity	'
	7	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Dividends on Common Stock
	During 2012 and the first nine months of 2013, CCA’s Board of Directors declared the following quarterly dividends on its common stock:
	Declaration Date		Record Date	Payable Date	Per Share
	11-May-12		June 8, 2012	June 22, 2012	$	0.2
	20-Aug-12		September 14, 2012	September 28, 2012	$	0.2
	6-Nov-12		30-Nov-12	14-Dec-12	$	0.2
	22-Feb-13		3-Apr-13	15-Apr-13	$	0.53
	16-May-13		3-Jul-13	15-Jul-13	$	0.48
	16-Aug-13		2-Oct-13	15-Oct-13	$	0.48
	In addition, on April 8, 2013, CCA’s Board of Directors declared a special dividend to shareholders of $675.0 million, or approximately $6.66 per share of common stock, in connection with CCA’s previously announced plan to qualify and convert to a REIT for federal income tax purposes effective as of January 1, 2013. The special dividend was paid in satisfaction of requirements that CCA distribute its previously undistributed accumulated earnings and profits attributable to tax periods ending prior to January 1, 2013. CCA paid the special dividend on May 20, 2013 to shareholders of record as of April 19, 2013.
	Each CCA shareholder could elect to receive payment of the special dividend either in all cash, all shares of CCA common stock or a combination of cash and CCA common stock, with the total amount of cash payable to shareholders limited to a maximum of 20% of the total value of the special dividend, or $135 million. The total amount of cash elected by shareholders exceeded 20% of the total value of the special dividend. As a result, the cash payment was prorated among those shareholders who elected to receive cash, and the remaining portion of the special dividend was paid in shares of CCA common stock. The total number of shares of CCA common stock distributed pursuant to the special dividend was 13.9 million and was determined based on shareholder elections and the average closing price per share of CCA common stock on the New York Stock Exchange for the three trading days after May 9, 2013, or $38.90 per share.
	Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
	During the first nine months of 2013, CCA issued 415,000 shares of restricted common stock and common stock units to certain of its employees and non-employee directors, with an aggregate fair value of $15.3 million, including 369,000 restricted shares or units to employees and non-employee directors whose compensation is charged to general and administrative expense and 46,000 restricted shares to employees whose compensation is charged to operating expense. During 2012, CCA issued 349,000 shares of restricted common stock and common stock units to certain of its employees and non-employee directors, with an aggregate fair value of $9.2 million, including 290,000 restricted shares or units to employees and non-employee directors whose compensation is charged to general and administrative expense and 59,000 restricted shares to employees whose compensation is charged to operating expense.
	As a result of the aforementioned special dividend paid on May 20, 2013, CCA issued 139,000 shares of restricted common stock and common stock units to employee and non-employee directors who held unvested shares as of the record date. The shares of restricted common stock and common stock units were issued at the $38.90 price per share as described above. The total special dividend to restricted stock and unit holders totaled $6.1 million, including $2.8 million to restricted stockholders and $3.3 million to restricted stock unit holders. Like all accumulated dividends on restricted stock and units, the special dividend remains subject to the same vesting conditions of the underlying shares or units.
	With respect to the shares and units issued in 2013, unless earlier vested under the terms of the restricted stock unit agreement, the restricted stock units issued to officers and executive officers vest evenly over a three-year period, while the shares issued to other employees “cliff” vest on the third anniversary of the award. Shares of restricted common stock units issued to non-employee directors vest on the first anniversary of the award. With respect to shares issued prior to 2013, CCA established performance-based vesting conditions on the shares of restricted common stock and common stock units awarded to its officers and executive officers. Unless earlier vested under the terms of the agreements, shares or units issued to officers and executive officers are subject to vesting over a three-year period based upon the satisfaction of certain performance criteria. No more than one-third of such shares or units may vest in the first performance period; however, the performance criteria are cumulative for the three-year period. Unless earlier vested under the terms of the agreements, the shares of restricted stock issued to the other employees vest after three years of continuous service, and restricted stock units issued to non-employee directors vest approximately one year from the issue date.
	During the three months ended September 30, 2013, CCA expensed $2.6 million, net of estimated forfeitures, relating to restricted common stock and common stock units ($0.3 million of which was recorded in operating expenses and $2.3 million of which was recorded in general and administrative expenses). During the three months ended September 30, 2012, CCA expensed $2.0 million, net of estimated forfeitures, relating to restricted common stock and common stock units ($0.3 million of which was recorded in operating expenses and $1.7 million of which was recorded in general and administrative expenses).
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, CCA expensed $7.3 million, net of estimated forfeitures, relating to restricted common stock and common stock units ($0.9 million of which was recorded in operating expenses and $6.4 million of which was recorded in general and administrative expenses). During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, CCA expensed $5.6 million, net of estimated forfeitures, relating to restricted common stock and common stock units ($0.8 million of which was recorded in operating expenses and $4.8 million of which was recorded in general and administrative expenses). As of September 30, 2013, approximately 938,000 shares of restricted common stock and common stock units remained outstanding and subject to vesting, including approximately 123,000 shares issued in connection with the special dividend.
	Stock Options
	In February 2013, CCA elected not to issue stock options to its non-employee directors, officers, and executive officers as it had in the past and instead elected to issue all of its equity compensation in the form of restricted common stock and common stock units as described above. During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, CCA expensed $0.7 million and $1.2 million, respectively, net of estimated forfeitures, relating to its outstanding stock options. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, CCA expensed $2.4 million and $3.5 million, respectively, net of estimated forfeitures, relating to its outstanding stock options.
	In connection with mandatory anti-dilution provisions of CCA’s equity incentive plans, as it pertains to the special dividend, an adjustment was made to all options outstanding to (i) increase the number of shares subject to an option by multiplying the number of shares by 1.175 (the “Adjustment Factor”) and (ii) reduce the exercise price per share of common stock subject to the options by dividing the initial exercise price by the Adjustment Factor. The Adjustment Factor was determined by the percentage increase in CCA’s common stock resulting from the stock portion of the special dividend after taking into consideration the portion of the special dividend paid in cash. The adjustment affected all employees and non-employee directors who had outstanding option grants on May 20, 2013 (49 people) and resulted in approximately 0.5 million of incremental options awarded. As the adjustment was designed to equalize the fair value of the option award for the special dividend, and because CCA’s equity incentive plans included mandatory anti-dilution provisions, there was no incremental compensation cost resulting from the adjustments to the options outstanding. As of September 30, 2013, options to purchase 2.8 million shares of common stock were outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $18.98.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share	'
	8	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity. For CCA diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares after considering the additional dilution related to restricted stock grants and stock options.
	A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic earnings per share computation to the numerator and denominator of the diluted earnings per share computation is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
			For the Three Months					For the Nine Months
			Ended September 30,					Ended September 30,
			2013			2012		2013			2012
	NUMERATOR
	Basic:
	Income from continuing operations		$	52,506		$	42,240	$	257,121		$	111,708
	(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes			(663	)		99		(3,757	)		(355	)
	Net income		$	51,843		$	42,339	$	253,364		$	111,353
	Diluted:
	Income from continuing operations		$	52,506		$	42,240	$	257,121		$	111,708
	(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes			(663	)		99		(3,757	)		(355	)
	Diluted net income		$	51,843		$	42,339	$	253,364		$	111,353
	DENOMINATOR
	Basic:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding			115,282			99,637		107,640			99,500
	Diluted:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding			115,282			99,637		107,640			99,500
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options			1,165			973		1,335			790
	Restricted stock-based compensation			425			232		325			174
	Weighted average shares and assumed conversions			116,872			100,842		109,300			100,464
	BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE:
	Income from continuing operations		$	0.46		$	0.42	$	2.38		$	1.12
	(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes			(0.01	)		—		(0.03	)		—
	Net income		$	0.45		$	0.42	$	2.35		$	1.12
	DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:
	Income from continuing operations		$	0.45		$	0.42	$	2.35		$	1.11
	(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes			(0.01	)		—		(0.03	)		—
	Net income		$	0.44		$	0.42	$	2.32		$	1.11
	As discussed in Note 7, on May 20, 2013, CCA paid a special dividend in connection with its conversion to a REIT. The shareholders were allowed to elect to receive their payment of the special dividend either in all cash, all shares of CCA common stock, or a combination of cash and CCA common stock, except that CCA placed a limit on the aggregate amount of cash payable to the shareholders. Under ASC 505, “Equity” and ASU 2010-01, “Accounting for Distributions to Shareholders with Components of Stock and Cash, a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force”, a distribution that allows shareholders to elect to receive cash or stock with a potential limitation on the total amount of cash that all shareholders can elect to receive in the aggregate is considered a share issuance that is reflected in earnings per share prospectively. As such, the stock portion of the special dividend, totaling 13.9 million shares, is presented prospectively in basic and diluted earnings per share as presented above and was not presented retroactively for all periods presented.
	Approximately 16,000 and 0.2 million stock options were excluded from the computations of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, because they were anti-dilutive. Approximately 15,000 and 0.9 million stock options were excluded from the computations of diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, because they were anti-dilutive.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	9	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Legal Proceedings
	The nature of CCA’s business results in claims and litigation alleging that it is liable for damages arising from the conduct of its employees, inmates or others. The nature of such claims includes, but is not limited to, claims arising from employee or inmate misconduct, medical malpractice, employment matters, property loss, contractual claims, and personal injury or other damages resulting from contact with CCA’s facilities, personnel or prisoners, including damages arising from a prisoner’s escape or from a disturbance or riot at a facility. CCA maintains insurance to cover many of these claims, which may mitigate the risk that any single claim would have a material effect on CCA’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, provided the claim is one for which coverage is available. The combination of self-insured retentions and deductible amounts means that, in the aggregate, CCA is subject to substantial self-insurance risk.
	CCA records litigation reserves related to certain matters for which it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the range of such loss can be estimated. Based upon management’s review of the potential claims and outstanding litigation and based upon management’s experience and history of estimating losses, and taking into consideration CCA’s self-insured retention amounts, management believes a loss in excess of amounts already recognized would not be material to CCA’s financial statements. In the opinion of management, there are no pending legal proceedings that would have a material effect on CCA’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Any receivable for insurance recoveries is recorded separately from the corresponding litigation reserve, and only if recovery is determined to be probable. Adversarial proceedings and litigation are, however, subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable decisions and rulings could occur which could have a material adverse impact on CCA’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows for the period in which such decisions or rulings occur, or future periods. Expenses associated with legal proceedings may also fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on changes in CCA’s assumptions, new developments, or by the effectiveness of CCA’s litigation and settlement strategies.
	Guarantees
	Hardeman County Correctional Facilities Corporation (“HCCFC”) is a nonprofit, mutual benefit corporation organized under the Tennessee Nonprofit Corporation Act to purchase, construct, improve, equip, finance, own and manage a detention facility located in Hardeman County, Tennessee. HCCFC was created as an instrumentality of Hardeman County to implement the County’s incarceration agreement with the state of Tennessee to house certain inmates.
	During 1997, HCCFC issued $72.7 million of revenue bonds, which were primarily used for the construction of a 2,016-bed medium security correctional facility. In addition, HCCFC entered into a construction and management agreement with CCA in order to assure the timely and coordinated acquisition, construction, development, marketing and operation of the correctional facility.
	HCCFC leases the correctional facility to Hardeman County in exchange for all revenue from the operation of the facility. HCCFC has, in turn, entered into a management agreement with CCA for the correctional facility.
	In connection with the issuance of the revenue bonds, CCA is obligated, under a debt service deficit agreement, to pay the trustee of the bond’s trust indenture (the “Trustee”) amounts necessary to pay any debt service deficits consisting of principal and interest requirements (outstanding principal balance of $23.9 million at September 30, 2013 plus future interest payments). In the event the state of Tennessee, which is currently utilizing the facility to house certain inmates, exercises its option to purchase the correctional facility, CCA is also obligated to pay the difference between principal and interest owed on the bonds on the date set for the redemption of the bonds and amounts paid by the state of Tennessee for the facility plus all other funds on deposit with the Trustee and available for redemption of the bonds. Ownership of the facility reverts to the state of Tennessee in 2017 at no cost. Therefore, CCA does not currently believe the state of Tennessee will exercise its option to purchase the facility. At September 30, 2013, the outstanding principal balance of the bonds exceeded the purchase price option by $7.4 million.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes	'
	10	INCOME TAXES
	As discussed in Note 1, the Company began operating in compliance with REIT requirements for federal income tax purposes effective January 1, 2013. As a REIT, the Company must distribute at least 90 percent of its taxable income (including dividends paid to it by its TRSs) and will not pay federal income taxes on the amount distributed to its shareholders. Therefore, the Company should not be subject to federal income taxes if it distributes 100 percent of its taxable income. Most states where CCA holds investments in real estate conform to the federal rules recognizing REITs. Certain subsidiaries have made an election with the Company to be treated as TRSs in conjunction with the Company’s REIT election; the TRS elections will permit CCA to engage in certain business activities in which the REIT may not engage directly. A TRS is subject to federal and state income taxes on the income from these activities and therefore, CCA includes a provision for taxes in its consolidated financial statements.
	Income taxes are accounted for under the provisions of ASC 740 “Income Taxes”. ASC 740 generally requires CCA to record deferred income taxes for the tax effect of differences between book and tax bases of its assets and liabilities.
	Deferred income taxes reflect the available net operating losses and the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. As a result of CCA’s election to be taxed as a REIT effective January 1, 2013, CCA recorded during the first quarter of 2013 a net tax benefit of $137.7 million for the revaluation of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities and other income taxes associated with the REIT conversion based on the revised tax structure.
	Realization of the future tax benefits related to deferred tax assets is dependent on many factors, including CCA’s past earnings history, expected future earnings, the character and jurisdiction of such earnings, unsettled circumstances that, if unfavorably resolved, would adversely affect utilization of its deferred tax assets, carryback and carryforward periods, and tax strategies that could potentially enhance the likelihood of realization of a deferred tax asset.
	CCA recorded an income tax expense of $4.6 million and an income tax benefit of $133.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The income tax benefit for the nine-month period is primarily a result of the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities during the first quarter of 2013 associated with the REIT conversion discussed above, as well as certain income tax benefits recorded during both the first and second quarters associated with expenses associated with debt refinancing transactions, tax credits and certain tax planning strategies implemented during 2013. CCA recorded an income tax expense of $24.0 million and $65.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. CCA’s income taxes and effective tax rate are significantly lower in 2013 as a result of the election to be taxed as a REIT effective January 1, 2013. As a REIT, CCA will be entitled to a deduction for dividends paid, resulting in a substantial reduction in the amount of federal income tax expense it recognizes. Substantially all of CCA’s income tax expense will be incurred based on the earnings generated by its TRSs.
	CCA’s overall effective tax rate is estimated based on its current projection of annual taxable income and could change in the future as a result of changes in these estimates, the implementation of additional tax planning strategies, changes in federal or state tax rates or laws affecting tax credits available to CCA, changes in other tax laws, changes in estimates related to uncertain tax positions, or changes in state apportionment factors, as well as changes in the valuation allowance applied to CCA’s deferred tax assets that are based primarily on the amount of state net operating losses and tax credits that could expire unused.
	Income Tax Contingencies
	ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The guidance prescribed in ASC 740 establishes a recognition threshold of more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination. The measurement attribute requires that a tax position be measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
	CCA had no liabilities recorded for uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2013. CCA recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions in income tax expense. CCA does not currently anticipate that the total amount of unrecognized tax positions will significantly increase or decrease in the next twelve months.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting	'
	11	SEGMENT REPORTING
	As of September 30, 2013, CCA owned and managed 50 correctional and detention facilities, and managed 16 correctional and detention facilities it did not own. Management views CCA’s operating results in two reportable segments: (1) owned and managed correctional and detention facilities and (2) managed-only correctional and detention facilities. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in the notes to consolidated financial statements included in CCA’s 2012 Form 10-K. Owned and managed facilities include the operating results of those facilities placed into service that were owned or controlled via a lease and managed by CCA. Following the Company’s reorganization to begin operating as a REIT effective January 1, 2013, the Company chose to reclassify the financial information provided for segment reporting purposes at two facilities where the property is effectively controlled by the Company under operating lease arrangements. Previously, the Company classified these two facilities controlled under operating leases within the managed-only segment. The Company now reports the financial information associated with these facilities as owned and managed and has reclassified its segment reporting for all periods presented. Managed-only facilities include the operating results of those facilities owned by a third party and managed by CCA. CCA measures the operating performance of each facility within the above two reportable segments, without differentiation, based on facility net operating income. CCA defines facility net operating income as a facility’s operating income or loss from operations before interest, taxes, asset impairments, depreciation, and amortization. Since each of CCA’s facilities within the two reportable segments exhibit similar economic characteristics, provide similar services to governmental agencies, and operate under a similar set of operating procedures and regulatory guidelines, the facilities within the identified segments have been aggregated and reported as one reportable segment.
	The revenue and facility net operating income for the reportable segments and a reconciliation to CCA’s operating income is as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
			For the Three Months						For the Nine Months
			Ended September 30,						Ended September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Revenue:
	Owned and managed		$	344,150		$	358,730		$	1,034,251		$	1,068,431
	Managed-only			76,132			75,292			225,754			223,258
	Total management revenue			420,282			434,022			1,260,005			1,291,689
	Operating expenses:
	Owned and managed			232,778			235,065			696,681			708,931
	Managed-only			65,177			65,745			194,730			197,006
	Total operating expenses			297,955			300,810			891,411			905,937
	Facility net operating income:
	Owned and managed			111,372			123,665			337,570			359,500
	Managed-only			10,955			9,547			31,024			26,252
	Total facility net operating income			122,327			133,212			368,594			385,752
	Other revenue (expense):
	Rental and other revenue			1,184			1,705			3,189			4,291
	Other operating expense			(3,534	)		(4,781	)		(12,301	)		(14,128	)
	General and administrative			(23,570	)		(22,015	)		(80,162	)		(66,950	)
	Depreciation and amortization			(28,151	)		(28,388	)		(83,203	)		(84,656	)
	Asset impairments			(985	)		—			(985	)		—
	Operating income		$	67,271		$	79,733		$	195,132		$	224,309
	The following table summarizes capital expenditures including accrued amounts for the reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (amounts in thousands):
			For the Three Months						For the Nine Months
			Ended September 30,						Ended September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Capital expenditures:
	Owned and managed		$	33,439		$	14,983		$	56,781		$	44,419
	Managed-only			756			516			2,161			2,874
	Discontinued operations			—			74			72			402
	Corporate and other			2,606			2,864			5,497			12,119
	Total capital expenditures		$	36,801		$	18,437		$	64,511		$	59,814
	The assets for the reportable segments are as follows (amounts in thousands):
			September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Assets:
	Owned and managed		$	2,670,007		$	2,654,791
	Managed-only			84,381			109,572
	Corporate and other			213,228			200,760
	Discontinued operations			566			9,619
	Total assets		$	2,968,182		$	2,974,742

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements of Company and Subsidiaries	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements of Company and Subsidiaries	'
	12	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
	The following condensed consolidating financial statements of the Company and subsidiaries have been prepared pursuant to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. These condensed consolidating financial statements have been prepared from CCA’s financial information on the same basis of accounting as the consolidated financial statements. On December 31, 2012 CCA transferred certain real estate assets and contracts from certain of its subsidiaries to the Company (as the parent company). Accordingly, the Company (as the parent corporation to its subsidiaries) which heretofore had no independent assets or operations (as defined under Rule 3-10(f) of Regulation S-X) maintains its own independent assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. With respect to the periods prior to December 31, 2012, such internal legal restructuring has been reported in the following condensed consolidating financial statements as if it had occurred on January 1, 2012.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	As of September 30, 2013
	(in thousands)
			Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
						Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
						Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	51,008		$	19,086		$	—		$	70,094
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance			178,973			175,227			(134,163	)		220,037
	Current deferred tax assets			7			5,167			—			5,174
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets			7,357			29,596			(9,519	)		27,434
	Current assets of discontinued operations			—			541			—			541
	Total current assets			237,345			229,617			(143,682	)		323,280
	Property and equipment, net			2,450,227			96,677			—			2,546,904
	Restricted cash			811			5,024			—			5,835
	Investment in direct financing lease			5,994			—			—			5,994
	Goodwill			—			17,229			—			17,229
	Other assets			237,017			44,459			(215,520	)		65,956
	Non-current deferred tax assets			—			3,516			(557	)		2,959
	Non-current assets of discontinued operations			—			25			—			25
	Total assets		$	2,931,394		$	396,547		$	(359,759	)	$	2,968,182
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	237,726		$	134,218		$	(143,648	)	$	228,296
	Income taxes payable			—			964			—			964
	Current liabilities of discontinued operations			—			1,066			—			1,066
	Total current liabilities			237,726			136,248			(143,648	)		230,326
	Long-term debt			1,185,000			115,000			(115,000	)		1,185,000
	Deferred tax liabilities			557			—			(557	)		—
	Other liabilities			1,163			44,745			—			45,908
	Total liabilities			1,424,446			295,993			(259,205	)		1,461,234
	Total stockholders’ equity			1,506,948			100,554			(100,554	)		1,506,948
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	2,931,394		$	396,547		$	(359,759	)	$	2,968,182
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	As of December 31, 2012
	(in thousands)
			Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
						Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
						Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	—		$	62,804		$	—		$	62,804
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance			136,128			249,512			(138,556	)		247,084
	Deferred tax assets			137			7,885			—			8,022
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets			1,766			34,499			(9,882	)		26,383
	Current assets of discontinued operations			—			6,449			—			6,449
	Total current assets			138,031			361,149			(148,438	)		350,742
	Property and equipment, net			2,462,917			103,565			—			2,566,482
	Restricted cash			—			5,022			—			5,022
	Investment in direct financing lease			7,467			—			—			7,467
	Goodwill			—			11,158			—			11,158
	Other assets			191,502			114,922			(275,723	)		30,701
	Non-current assets of discontinued operations			—			3,170			—			3,170
	Total assets		$	2,799,917		$	598,986		$	(424,161	)	$	2,974,742
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	28,061		$	284,871		$	(148,403	)	$	164,529
	Income taxes payable			—			102			—			102
	Current liabilities of discontinued operations			—			1,827			—			1,827
	Total current liabilities			28,061			286,800			(148,403	)		166,458
	Long-term debt			1,111,545			100,000			(100,000	)		1,111,545
	Deferred tax liabilities			138,691			835			—			139,526
	Other liabilities			—			35,593			—			35,593
	Total liabilities			1,278,297			423,228			(248,403	)		1,453,122
Total stockholders’ equity			1,521,620			175,758			(175,758	)		1,521,620
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	2,799,917		$	598,986		$	(424,161	)	$	2,974,742
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the three months ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
REVENUES		$	312,837		$	337,548		$	(228,919	)	$	421,466
EXPENSES:
Operating			232,380			298,028			(228,919	)		301,489
General and administrative			6,954			16,616			—			23,570
Depreciation and amortization			19,268			8,883			—			28,151
Asset impairments			—			985			—			985
			258,602			324,512			(228,919	)		354,195
OPERATING INCOME			54,235			13,036			—			67,271
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES:
Interest expense, net			8,877			1,501			—			10,378
Other (income) expense			(275	)		111			(20	)		(184	)
			8,602			1,612			(20	)		10,194
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES			45,633			11,424			20			57,077
Income tax (expense) benefit			(217	)		(4,354	)		—			(4,571	)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS			45,416			7,070			20			52,506
Income from equity in subsidiaries			6,427			—			(6,427	)		—
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes			—			(663	)		—			(663	)
NET INCOME		$	51,843		$	6,407		$	(6,407	)	$	51,843
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the three months ended September 30, 2012
(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
REVENUES		$	357,515		$	82,668		$	(4,456	)	$	435,727
EXPENSES:
Operating			238,115			71,932			(4,456	)		305,591
General and administrative			17,524			4,491			—			22,015
Depreciation and amortization			18,805			9,583			—			28,388
			274,444			86,006			(4,456	)		355,994
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)			83,071			(3,338	)		—			79,733
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES:
Interest expense, net			13,426			296			—			13,722
Expenses associated with debt refinancing transactions			168			—			—			168
Other income			(70	)		(1	)		(351	)		(422	)
			13,524			295			(351	)		13,468
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES			69,547			(3,633	)		351			66,265
Income tax (expense) benefit			(24,828	)		803			—			(24,025	)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS			44,719			(2,830	)		351			42,240
Loss from equity in subsidiaries			(2,380	)		—			2,380			—
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes			—			99			—			99
NET INCOME (LOSS)		$	42,339		$	(2,731	)	$	2,731		$	42,339
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
REVENUES		$	945,213		$	1,007,279		$	(689,298	)	$	1,263,194
EXPENSES:
Operating			704,221			888,789			(689,298	)		903,712
General and administrative			24,649			55,513			—			80,162
Depreciation and amortization			56,855			26,348			—			83,203
Asset impairments			—			985			—			985
			785,725			971,635			(689,298	)		1,068,062
OPERATING INCOME			159,488			35,644			—			195,132
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES:
Interest expense, net			29,593			5,263			—			34,856
Expenses associated with debt refinancing transactions			28,563			7,965			—			36,528
Other (income) expense			45			(107	)		(58	)		(120	)
			58,201			13,121			(58	)		71,264
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES			101,287			22,523			58			123,868
Income tax benefit (expense)			137,981			(4,728	)		—			133,253
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS			239,268			17,795			58			257,121
Income from equity in subsidiaries			14,096			—			(14,096	)		—
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes			—			(3,757	)		—			(3,757	)
NET INCOME		$	253,364		$	14,038		$	(14,038	)	$	253,364
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
REVENUES		$	1,063,159		$	246,254		$	(13,433	)	$	1,295,980
EXPENSES:
Operating			715,354			218,144			(13,433	)		920,065
General and administrative			53,292			13,658			—			66,950
Depreciation and amortization			55,515			29,141			—			84,656
			824,161			260,943			(13,433	)		1,071,671
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)			238,998			(14,689	)		—			224,309
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES:
Interest expense, net			44,453			888			—			45,341
Expenses associated with debt refinancing transactions			1,996			—			—			1,996
Other income			(22	)		(36	)		(312	)		(370	)
			46,427			852			(312	)		46,967
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES			192,571			(15,541	)		312			177,342
Income tax (expense) benefit			(68,748	)		3,114			—			(65,634	)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS			123,823			(12,427	)		312			111,708
Loss from equity in subsidiaries			(12,470	)		—			12,470			—
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes			—			(355	)		—			(355	)
NET INCOME (LOSS)		$	111,353		$	(12,782	)	$	12,782		$	111,353
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			And Other			Amounts
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	165,603		$	118,001		$	—		$	283,604
Net cash used in investing activities			(52,887	)		(44,681	)		15,000			(82,568	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(61,708	)		(117,002	)		(15,000	)		(193,710	)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents			51,008			(43,682	)		—			7,326
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period			—			62,897			—			62,897
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period		$	51,008		$	19,215		$			$	70,223
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			And Other			Amounts
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	202,674		$	20,377		$	—		$	223,051
Net cash used in investing activities			(35,307	)		(26,993	)		—			(62,300	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(167,367	)		10,026			—			(157,341	)
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents			—			3,410			—			3,410
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period			—			55,832			—			55,832
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period		$	—		$	59,242		$	—		$	59,242

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ1

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	To meet the reporting requirements of Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 825, “Financial Instruments”, regarding fair value of financial instruments, CCA calculates the estimated fair value of financial instruments using market interest rates and quoted market prices of similar instruments or discounted cash flow techniques with observable Level 2 inputs, as defined in ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement”. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no material differences between the carrying amounts and the estimated fair values of CCA’s financial instruments, other than as follows (in thousands):
		September 30, 2013						December 31, 2012
		Carrying			Fair Value			Carrying			Fair Value
		Amount						Amount
	Investment in direct financing lease	$	7,928		$	9,235		$	9,233		$	10,852
	Note receivable from APM	$	4,729		$	8,991		$	4,819		$	8,678
	Debt	$	(1,185,000	)	$	(1,152,750	)	$	(1,111,545	)	$	(1,152,550	)

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ2

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Financial Instruments Having Difference Between Carrying Amount and Fair Value	'
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no material differences between the carrying amounts and the estimated fair values of CCA’s financial instruments, other than as follows (in thousands):
		September 30, 2013						December 31, 2012
		Carrying			Fair Value			Carrying			Fair Value
		Amount						Amount
	Investment in direct financing lease	$	7,928		$	9,235		$	9,233		$	10,852
	Note receivable from APM	$	4,729		$	8,991		$	4,819		$	8,678
	Debt	$	(1,185,000	)	$	(1,152,750	)	$	(1,111,545	)	$	(1,152,550	)

Facility_Activation_Acquisitio1

Facility Activation, Acquisitions, Developments, and Closures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of Idled Facilities and Respective Carrying Values	'
	The following table summarizes each of the idled facilities and their respective carrying values, excluding equipment and other assets that could generally be transferred and used at other facilities CCA owns without significant cost (dollars in thousands):
		Design		Date		Net Carrying Values
	Facility	Capacity		Idled		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Queensgate Correctional Facility		850		2008	$	11,902	$	12,073
	Shelby Training Center		200		2008		853		1,155
	Trousdale County, TN (Pre-construction)		—		2009		28,485		28,460
	Prairie Correctional Facility		1,600		2010		19,653		20,503
	Huerfano County Correctional Center		752		2010		19,997		20,603
	Diamondback Correctional Facility		2,160		2010		44,474		45,475
	Otter Creek Correctional Center		656		2012		25,015		25,685
	Houston Educational Facility		—		2012		6,520		6,657
	Mineral Wells Pre-Parole Transfer Facility		2,103		2013		18,272		19,063
	Marion Adjustment Center		826		2013		13,545		13,720
			9,147			$	188,716	$	193,394

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Summarized Results of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheets of Discontinued Operations	'
	The following table summarizes the results of operations for the facilities classified as discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		For the Three Months						For the Nine Months
		Ended September 30,						Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	REVENUE:
	Managed-only	$	2,007		$	9,126		$	19,984		$	27,237
			2,007			9,126			19,984			27,237
	EXPENSES:
	Managed-only		2,945			8,747			22,529			27,252
	Depreciation and amortization		124			224			799			645
	Asset impairments		—			—			2,637			—
			3,069			8,971			25,965			27,897
	OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME		(1,062	)		155			(5,981	)		(660	)
	Other (expense) income		(16	)		—			(17	)		90
	(LOSS) INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES		(1,078	)		155			(5,998	)		(570	)
	Income tax benefit (expense)		415			(56	)		2,241			215
	(LOSS) INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAXES	$	(663	)	$	99		$	(3,757	)	$	(355	)
	The assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations presented in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are as follows (in thousands):
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	129		$	93
	Accounts receivable		67			5,680
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		345			676
	Total current assets		541			6,449
	Property and equipment, net		—			2,309
	Goodwill		—			831
	Other assets		25			30
	Total assets	$	566		$	9,619
	LIABILITIES
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	1,066		$	1,827
	Total current liabilities	$	1,066		$	1,827

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Debt Outstanding	'
	Debt outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consists of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Revolving Credit Facility, principal due at maturity in December 2017; interest payable periodically at variable interest rates. The weighted average rate at both September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was 1.7%.	$	510,000	$	655,000
	4.625% Senior Notes, principal due at maturity in May 2023; interest payable semi-annually in May and November at 4.625%.		350,000		—
	4.125% Senior Notes, principal due at maturity in April 2020; interest payable semi-annually in April and October at 4.125%.		325,000		—
	7.75% Senior Notes, principal due at maturity in June 2017; interest payable semi-annually in June and December at 7.75%. These notes were redeemed during 2013 as further described hereafter.		—		456,545
		$	1,185,000	$	1,111,545

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Declared Common Stock Dividends	'
	During 2012 and the first nine months of 2013, CCA’s Board of Directors declared the following quarterly dividends on its common stock:
	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payable Date	Per Share
	11-May-12	June 8, 2012	June 22, 2012	$	0.2
	20-Aug-12	September 14, 2012	September 28, 2012	$	0.2
	6-Nov-12	30-Nov-12	14-Dec-12	$	0.2
	22-Feb-13	3-Apr-13	15-Apr-13	$	0.53
	16-May-13	3-Jul-13	15-Jul-13	$	0.48
	16-Aug-13	2-Oct-13	15-Oct-13	$	0.48

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share	'
	A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic earnings per share computation to the numerator and denominator of the diluted earnings per share computation is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		For the Three Months					For the Nine Months
		Ended September 30,					Ended September 30,
		2013			2012		2013			2012
	NUMERATOR
	Basic:
	Income from continuing operations	$	52,506		$	42,240	$	257,121		$	111,708
	(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes		(663	)		99		(3,757	)		(355	)
	Net income	$	51,843		$	42,339	$	253,364		$	111,353
	Diluted:
	Income from continuing operations	$	52,506		$	42,240	$	257,121		$	111,708
	(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes		(663	)		99		(3,757	)		(355	)
	Diluted net income	$	51,843		$	42,339	$	253,364		$	111,353
	DENOMINATOR
	Basic:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		115,282			99,637		107,640			99,500
	Diluted:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		115,282			99,637		107,640			99,500
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options		1,165			973		1,335			790
	Restricted stock-based compensation		425			232		325			174
	Weighted average shares and assumed conversions		116,872			100,842		109,300			100,464
	BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE:
	Income from continuing operations	$	0.46		$	0.42	$	2.38		$	1.12
	(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes		(0.01	)		—		(0.03	)		—
	Net income	$	0.45		$	0.42	$	2.35		$	1.12
	DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:
	Income from continuing operations	$	0.45		$	0.42	$	2.35		$	1.11
	(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes		(0.01	)		—		(0.03	)		—
	Net income	$	0.44		$	0.42	$	2.32		$	1.11

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Revenue and Facility Net Operating Income of Reportable Segments and Reconciliation to CCA's Operating Income	'
	The revenue and facility net operating income for the reportable segments and a reconciliation to CCA’s operating income is as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		For the Three Months						For the Nine Months
		Ended September 30,						Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Revenue:
	Owned and managed	$	344,150		$	358,730		$	1,034,251		$	1,068,431
	Managed-only		76,132			75,292			225,754			223,258
	Total management revenue		420,282			434,022			1,260,005			1,291,689
	Operating expenses:
	Owned and managed		232,778			235,065			696,681			708,931
	Managed-only		65,177			65,745			194,730			197,006
	Total operating expenses		297,955			300,810			891,411			905,937
	Facility net operating income:
	Owned and managed		111,372			123,665			337,570			359,500
	Managed-only		10,955			9,547			31,024			26,252
	Total facility net operating income		122,327			133,212			368,594			385,752
	Other revenue (expense):
	Rental and other revenue		1,184			1,705			3,189			4,291
	Other operating expense		(3,534	)		(4,781	)		(12,301	)		(14,128	)
	General and administrative		(23,570	)		(22,015	)		(80,162	)		(66,950	)
	Depreciation and amortization		(28,151	)		(28,388	)		(83,203	)		(84,656	)
	Asset impairments		(985	)		—			(985	)		—
	Operating income	$	67,271		$	79,733		$	195,132		$	224,309
Summary of Capital Expenditures for Reportable Segments	'
	The following table summarizes capital expenditures including accrued amounts for the reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (amounts in thousands):
		For the Three Months						For the Nine Months
		Ended September 30,						Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Capital expenditures:
	Owned and managed	$	33,439		$	14,983		$	56,781		$	44,419
	Managed-only		756			516			2,161			2,874
	Discontinued operations		—			74			72			402
	Corporate and other		2,606			2,864			5,497			12,119
	Total capital expenditures	$	36,801		$	18,437		$	64,511		$	59,814
Schedule of Assets for Reportable Segments	'
	The assets for the reportable segments are as follows (amounts in thousands):
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Assets:
	Owned and managed	$	2,670,007		$	2,654,791
	Managed-only		84,381			109,572
	Corporate and other		213,228			200,760
	Discontinued operations		566			9,619
	Total assets	$	2,968,182		$	2,974,742

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements of Company and Subsidiaries (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	As of September 30, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	51,008		$	19,086		$	—		$	70,094
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance		178,973			175,227			(134,163	)		220,037
	Current deferred tax assets		7			5,167			—			5,174
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		7,357			29,596			(9,519	)		27,434
	Current assets of discontinued operations		—			541			—			541
	Total current assets		237,345			229,617			(143,682	)		323,280
	Property and equipment, net		2,450,227			96,677			—			2,546,904
	Restricted cash		811			5,024			—			5,835
	Investment in direct financing lease		5,994			—			—			5,994
	Goodwill		—			17,229			—			17,229
	Other assets		237,017			44,459			(215,520	)		65,956
	Non-current deferred tax assets		—			3,516			(557	)		2,959
	Non-current assets of discontinued operations		—			25			—			25
	Total assets	$	2,931,394		$	396,547		$	(359,759	)	$	2,968,182
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	237,726		$	134,218		$	(143,648	)	$	228,296
	Income taxes payable		—			964			—			964
	Current liabilities of discontinued operations		—			1,066			—			1,066
	Total current liabilities		237,726			136,248			(143,648	)		230,326
	Long-term debt		1,185,000			115,000			(115,000	)		1,185,000
	Deferred tax liabilities		557			—			(557	)		—
	Other liabilities		1,163			44,745			—			45,908
	Total liabilities		1,424,446			295,993			(259,205	)		1,461,234
	Total stockholders’ equity		1,506,948			100,554			(100,554	)		1,506,948
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,931,394		$	396,547		$	(359,759	)	$	2,968,182
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	As of December 31, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	62,804		$	—		$	62,804
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance		136,128			249,512			(138,556	)		247,084
	Deferred tax assets		137			7,885			—			8,022
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1,766			34,499			(9,882	)		26,383
	Current assets of discontinued operations		—			6,449			—			6,449
	Total current assets		138,031			361,149			(148,438	)		350,742
	Property and equipment, net		2,462,917			103,565			—			2,566,482
	Restricted cash		—			5,022			—			5,022
	Investment in direct financing lease		7,467			—			—			7,467
	Goodwill		—			11,158			—			11,158
	Other assets		191,502			114,922			(275,723	)		30,701
	Non-current assets of discontinued operations		—			3,170			—			3,170
	Total assets	$	2,799,917		$	598,986		$	(424,161	)	$	2,974,742
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	28,061		$	284,871		$	(148,403	)	$	164,529
	Income taxes payable		—			102			—			102
	Current liabilities of discontinued operations		—			1,827			—			1,827
	Total current liabilities		28,061			286,800			(148,403	)		166,458
	Long-term debt		1,111,545			100,000			(100,000	)		1,111,545
	Deferred tax liabilities		138,691			835			—			139,526
	Other liabilities		—			35,593			—			35,593
	Total liabilities		1,278,297			423,228			(248,403	)		1,453,122
	Total stockholders’ equity		1,521,620			175,758			(175,758	)		1,521,620
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,799,917		$	598,986		$	(424,161	)	$	2,974,742
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
	REVENUES	$	312,837		$	337,548		$	(228,919	)	$	421,466
	EXPENSES:
	Operating		232,380			298,028			(228,919	)		301,489
	General and administrative		6,954			16,616			—			23,570
	Depreciation and amortization		19,268			8,883			—			28,151
	Asset impairments		—			985			—			985
			258,602			324,512			(228,919	)		354,195
	OPERATING INCOME		54,235			13,036			—			67,271
	OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES:
	Interest expense, net		8,877			1,501			—			10,378
	Other (income) expense		(275	)		111			(20	)		(184	)
			8,602			1,612			(20	)		10,194
	INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES		45,633			11,424			20			57,077
	Income tax (expense) benefit		(217	)		(4,354	)		—			(4,571	)
	INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS		45,416			7,070			20			52,506
	Income from equity in subsidiaries		6,427			—			(6,427	)		—
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes		—			(663	)		—			(663	)
	NET INCOME	$	51,843		$	6,407		$	(6,407	)	$	51,843
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	For the three months ended September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
	REVENUES	$	357,515		$	82,668		$	(4,456	)	$	435,727
	EXPENSES:
	Operating		238,115			71,932			(4,456	)		305,591
	General and administrative		17,524			4,491			—			22,015
	Depreciation and amortization		18,805			9,583			—			28,388
			274,444			86,006			(4,456	)		355,994
	OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)		83,071			(3,338	)		—			79,733
	OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES:
	Interest expense, net		13,426			296			—			13,722
	Expenses associated with debt refinancing transactions		168			—			—			168
	Other income		(70	)		(1	)		(351	)		(422	)
			13,524			295			(351	)		13,468
	INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES		69,547			(3,633	)		351			66,265
	Income tax (expense) benefit		(24,828	)		803			—			(24,025	)
	INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS		44,719			(2,830	)		351			42,240
	Loss from equity in subsidiaries		(2,380	)		—			2,380			—
	Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes		—			99			—			99
	NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	42,339		$	(2,731	)	$	2,731		$	42,339
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
	REVENUES	$	945,213		$	1,007,279		$	(689,298	)	$	1,263,194
	EXPENSES:
	Operating		704,221			888,789			(689,298	)		903,712
	General and administrative		24,649			55,513			—			80,162
	Depreciation and amortization		56,855			26,348			—			83,203
	Asset impairments		—			985			—			985
			785,725			971,635			(689,298	)		1,068,062
	OPERATING INCOME		159,488			35,644			—			195,132
	OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES:
Interest expense, net		29,593			5,263			—			34,856
Expenses associated with debt refinancing transactions		28,563			7,965			—			36,528
Other (income) expense		45			(107	)		(58	)		(120	)
		58,201			13,121			(58	)		71,264
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES		101,287			22,523			58			123,868
Income tax benefit (expense)		137,981			(4,728	)		—			133,253
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS		239,268			17,795			58			257,121
Income from equity in subsidiaries		14,096			—			(14,096	)		—
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes		—			(3,757	)		—			(3,757	)
NET INCOME	$	253,364		$	14,038		$	(14,038	)	$	253,364
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
(in thousands)
	Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
				Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
				Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
REVENUES	$	1,063,159		$	246,254		$	(13,433	)	$	1,295,980
EXPENSES:
Operating		715,354			218,144			(13,433	)		920,065
General and administrative		53,292			13,658			—			66,950
Depreciation and amortization		55,515			29,141			—			84,656
		824,161			260,943			(13,433	)		1,071,671
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)		238,998			(14,689	)		—			224,309
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES:
Interest expense, net		44,453			888			—			45,341
Expenses associated with debt refinancing transactions		1,996			—			—			1,996
Other income		(22	)		(36	)		(312	)		(370	)
		46,427			852			(312	)		46,967
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES		192,571			(15,541	)		312			177,342
Income tax (expense) benefit		(68,748	)		3,114			—			(65,634	)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS		123,823			(12,427	)		312			111,708
Loss from equity in subsidiaries		(12,470	)		—			12,470			—
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes		—			(355	)		—			(355	)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	111,353		$	(12,782	)	$	12,782		$	111,353
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			And Other			Amounts
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	165,603		$	118,001		$	—		$	283,604
	Net cash used in investing activities		(52,887	)		(44,681	)		15,000			(82,568	)
	Net cash used in financing activities		(61,708	)		(117,002	)		(15,000	)		(193,710	)
	Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents		51,008			(43,682	)		—			7,326
	CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period		—			62,897			—			62,897
	CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	$	51,008		$	19,215		$			$	70,223
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			And Other			Amounts
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	202,674		$	20,377		$	—		$	223,051
	Net cash used in investing activities		(35,307	)		(26,993	)		—			(62,300	)
	Net cash used in financing activities		(167,367	)		10,026			—			(157,341	)
	Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents		—			3,410			—			3,410
	CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period		—			55,832			—			55,832
	CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	$	—		$	59,242		$	—		$	59,242

Organization_and_Operations_Ad

Organization and Operations - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013
	State
	Bed
	Facility
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]	'
Number of facilities owned by government partners, managed	16
Number of facilities owned or controlled by company	53
Number of beds at the facility	90,000
Number of states in which company facilities are located	20

Schedule_of_Financial_Instrume

Schedule of Financial Instruments Having Difference Between Carrying Amount and Fair Value (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Investment in direct financing lease, Carrying Amount	$7,928	$9,233
Note receivable from APM, Carrying Amount	4,729	4,819
Debt, Carrying Amount	-1,185,000	-1,111,545
Investment in direct financing lease, Fair Value	9,235	10,852
Note receivable from APM, Fair Value	8,991	8,678
Debt, Fair Value	($1,152,750)	($1,152,550)

Goodwill_Additional_Informatio

Goodwill - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013
						Idaho Correctional Center	Idaho Correctional Center	Idaho Correctional Center	Idaho Correctional Center	Wilkinson County Correctional Facility
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Establishment of goodwill	'	'	'This goodwill was established in connection with the acquisition of Correctional Alternatives, Inc. ("CAI") during the third quarter of 2013 (see Note 4) and the acquisitions of two service companies during 2000.	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	$17,229,000	'	$17,229,000	'	$11,158,000	'	'	'	'	'
Asset impairment charges	985,000	'	985,000	'	'	1,000,000	'	'	'	2,600,000
Operating income loss	67,271,000	79,733,000	195,132,000	224,309,000	'	1,100,000	200,000	700,000	1,000,000	'
Goodwill impairment charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	800,000
Other assets impairment charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1,800,000

Facility_Activations_Acquisiti

Facility Activations Acquisitions Developments and Closures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Oct. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Nov. 30, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Bed

Bed

Idle Facilities

Mineral Wells Pre Parole Transfer Facility

Mineral Wells Pre Parole Transfer Facility

Mineral Wells Pre Parole Transfer Facility

Dawson State Jail

Marion Adjustment Center Facility

Marion Adjustment Center Facility

Marion Adjustment Center Facility

San Diego Correctional Facility

Red Rock Correctional Center

Red Rock Correctional Center

Red Rock Correctional Center

Red Rock Correctional Center

Red Rock Correctional Center

State of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Subsequent Event

Correctional Alternatives, Inc.

Facility

Facility

Facility

Facility

Facility

Facility

RenewalOptions

Facility

California State

Beginning in January of 2014

During the first quarter of 2015

Subsequent Event

Facility

Facility

Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]

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Consideration paid

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'

$36,500,000

Purchase price, goodwill

17,229,000

'

17,229,000

'

11,158,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,000,000

Purchase price, identifiable intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

26,900,000

Purchase price, intangible liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,900,000

Purchase price, net tangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,700,000

Purchase price, deferred tax liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,200,000

Number of beds at the facility

90,000

'

90,000

'

'

'

2,103

2,103

'

2,216

826

826

'

1,154

'

1,596

'

'

'

2,304

'

'

2,500

'

Carrying value of idle facilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,272,000

'

19,063,000

'

13,545,000

'

13,720,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28,485,000

28,460,000

'

'

Operating Expense

301,489,000

305,591,000

903,712,000

920,065,000

'

5,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lease expiration date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31-Dec-15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount invested to acquire property

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected additional number of offenders to be managed by the company

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000

'

'

500

500

'

'

'

'

'

Management contract, initial term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Management contract, number of renewal options

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Management contract, renewal option term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of guaranteed occupancy under management contract

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

90.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Management contract term facility will revert to the state of Arizona

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'20 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected capital improvements cost for certain physical plant modifications

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Currently managed inmates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lease agreement commencing date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Dec-13

'

'

'

'

Lease term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

Renewal options term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'

'

'

'

Annual rent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28,500,000

'

'

'

'

Rent increase percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.00%

'

'

'

'

Total cost of the project

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$140,000,000

'

'

'

Idled_Facilities_and_Respectiv

Idled Facilities and Respective Carrying Values Excluding Equipment and Other Assets (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Facility	Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Design Capacity	90,000	'	'
Queensgate Correctional Facility	'	'	'
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Design Capacity	850	'	'
Date Idled	'2008	'	'
Net Carrying Value	$11,902	'	$12,073
Shelby Training Center	'	'	'
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Design Capacity	200	'	'
Date Idled	'2008	'	'
Net Carrying Value	853	'	1,155
Trousdale County, Tennessee Facility	'	'	'
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Date Idled	'2009	'	'
Net Carrying Value	28,485	'	28,460
Prairie Correctional Facility	'	'	'
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Design Capacity	1,600	'	'
Date Idled	'2010	'	'
Net Carrying Value	19,653	'	20,503
Huerfano County Correctional Center	'	'	'
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Design Capacity	752	'	'
Date Idled	'2010	'	'
Net Carrying Value	19,997	'	20,603
Diamondback Correctional Facility	'	'	'
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Design Capacity	2,160	'	'
Date Idled	'2010	'	'
Net Carrying Value	44,474	'	45,475
Otter Creek Correctional Center	'	'	'
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Design Capacity	656	'	'
Date Idled	'2012	'	'
Net Carrying Value	25,015	'	25,685
Houston Educational Facility	'	'	'
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Date Idled	'2012	'	'
Net Carrying Value	6,520	'	6,657
Mineral Wells Pre Parole Transfer Facility	'	'	'
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Design Capacity	2,103	2,103	'
Date Idled	'2013	'	'
Net Carrying Value	18,272	'	19,063
Marion Adjustment Center Facility	'	'	'
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Design Capacity	826	826	'
Date Idled	'2013	'	'
Net Carrying Value	13,545	'	13,720
Total Idle Facilities	'	'	'
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Design Capacity	9,147	'	'
Net Carrying Value	$188,716	'	$193,394

Discontinued_Operations_Additi

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail)	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
	Wilkinson County Correctional Facility	Dawson State Jail	Delta Correctional Facility	Delta Correctional Facility
	Facility	Facility	Facility	Facility
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Housing capacity of terminated facility, in beds	1,000	2,216	'	1,172
Number of inmates being transferred from facility	'	'	900	'

Summarized_Results_of_Operatio

Summarized Results of Operations for Discontinued Facilities (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Managed-only, Revenue	$2,007	$9,126	$19,984	$27,237
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue, Total	2,007	9,126	19,984	27,237
Managed-only, Expenses	2,945	8,747	22,529	27,252
Depreciation and amortization, Expenses	124	224	799	645
Asset impairments	'	'	2,637	'
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Expense, Total	3,069	8,971	25,965	27,897
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME	-1,062	155	-5,981	-660
Other (expense) income	-16	'	-17	90
(LOSS) INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	-1,078	155	-5,998	-570
Income tax benefit (expense)	415	-56	2,241	215
(LOSS) INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAXES	($663)	$99	($3,757)	($355)

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_of

Consolidated Balance Sheets of Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$129	$93
Accounts receivable	67	5,680
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	345	676
Total current assets	541	6,449
Property and equipment, net	'	2,309
Goodwill	'	831
Other assets	25	30
Total assets	566	9,619
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	1,066	1,827
Total current liabilities	$1,066	$1,827

Schedule_of_Debt_Outstanding_D

Schedule of Debt Outstanding (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	$1,185,000	$1,111,545
Revolving Credit Facility	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	510,000	655,000
Senior Notes 4.625% Due 2023	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	350,000	'
Senior Notes 4.125% Due 2020	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	325,000	'
Senior Notes 7.75% Due 2017	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	'	$456,545

Schedule_of_Debt_Outstanding_P

Schedule of Debt Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revolving Credit Facility	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Revolving Credit Facility maturity date	31-Dec-17	'
Weighted average rate	1.70%	1.70%
Senior Notes interest payable dates	'interest payable periodically at variable interest rates.	'
Senior Notes 4.625% Due 2023	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate stated percentage of Senior Notes	4.63%	'
Note maturity date	31-May-23	'
Senior Notes interest payable dates	'interest payable semi-annually in May and November at 4.625%.	'
Senior Notes 4.125% Due 2020	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate stated percentage of Senior Notes	4.13%	'
Note maturity date	30-Apr-20	'
Senior Notes interest payable dates	'interest payable semi-annually in April and October at 4.125%.	'
Senior Notes 7.75% Due 2017	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate stated percentage of Senior Notes	7.75%	'
Note maturity date	30-Jun-17	'
Senior Notes interest payable dates	'interest payable semi-annually in June and December at 7.75%.	'

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Apr. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 21, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

Apr. 04, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

Apr. 04, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dividend Declared

Amended Revolving Credit Facility

Amended Revolving Credit Facility

Amended Revolving Credit Facility

Amended Revolving Credit Facility

Amended Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Senior Notes 6.25% Due 2013

Swingline Loans

Senior Notes 7.75% Due 2017

Senior Notes 7.75% Due 2017

Senior Notes 7.75% Due 2017

Senior Notes 7.75% Due 2017

Senior Notes 7.75% Due 2017

Senior Notes 7.75% Due 2017

Senior Notes 7.75% Due 2017

Senior Notes 7.75% Due 2017

Senior Notes 7.75% Due 2017

Senior Notes 4.125% Due 2020

Senior Notes 4.125% Due 2020

Senior Notes 4.125% Due 2020

Senior Notes 4.625% Due 2023

Senior Notes 4.625% Due 2023

Senior Notes 4.625% Due 2023

Senior Notes

Letter of Credit

Minimum

Maximum

Holders who validly tendered their 7.75% Senior Notes before the early tender deadline on April 3 2013

Holders who validly tendered on or prior to the early tender deadline

Holders who validly tendered following the early tender deadline but on or prior to the expiration of the tender offer on April 17, 2013

Tender Offer

Issuance Of Debt

Issuance Of Debt

Issuance Of Debt

Issuance Of Debt

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

$900,000,000

$785,000,000

$900,000,000

'

'

$450,000,000

'

$30,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt issuance costs, capitalized

'

'

'

2,700,000

6,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase of Senior Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

335,000,000

'

149,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

315,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving Credit Facility maturity extension period

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving Credit Facility maturity date

'

'

'

'2017-12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit interest on outstanding borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'At CCA's option, interest on outstanding borrowings under the $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility is based on either a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.25% to 1.0% or a London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 2.0% based on CCA's leverage ratio.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Base rate plus a margin

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

0.25%

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

LIBOR plus a margin

'

'

'

'

'

1.50%

1.25%

2.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, aggregate principal amount of additional borrowing

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of commitment fee to unfunded balance

'

'

'

'

'

0.30%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowings under credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

510,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,200,000

Line of credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

364,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sublimit for issuance of standby letters of credit

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of capital stock of foreign subsidiary secured by pledge under Revolving Credit Facilities

'

'

'

'

'

65.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum cash tender offer

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

465,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Early tender deadline date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'April 3, 2013

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

675,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

325,000,000

'

'

350,000,000

'

'

Total consideration offered upon tendering of Senior Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,050

30

20

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal amount of Senior Notes for which consideration is offered

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000

1,000

1,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash tender paid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

315,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument redemption percentage of par

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

103.88%

103.88%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

Amount charged against purchase and redemption of debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Costs associated with tender offer and redemption

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

36,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument due date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30-Jun-17

'

'

'

'

'

30-Apr-20

1-Apr-20

'

31-May-23

1-May-23

'

'

'

Debt instrument interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.75%

'

'

'

'

'

4.13%

4.13%

'

4.63%

4.63%

'

'

'

Payment for dividend

$243,782,000

$39,838,000

$135,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net proceeds from senior notes, percentage of REIT required distribution to be funded

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

'

Declared_Common_Stock_Dividend

Declared Common Stock Dividends (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Dividend Payment 1st	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'
Declaration Date	11-May-12
Record Date	8-Jun-12
Payable Date	22-Jun-12
Per Share	$0.20
Dividend Payment 2nd	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'
Declaration Date	20-Aug-12
Record Date	14-Sep-12
Payable Date	28-Sep-12
Per Share	$0.20
Dividend Payment 3rd	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'
Declaration Date	6-Nov-12
Record Date	30-Nov-12
Payable Date	14-Dec-12
Per Share	$0.20
Dividend Payment 4th	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'
Declaration Date	22-Feb-13
Record Date	3-Apr-13
Payable Date	15-Apr-13
Per Share	$0.53
Dividend Payment 5th	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'
Declaration Date	16-May-13
Record Date	3-Jul-13
Payable Date	15-Jul-13
Per Share	$0.48
Dividend Payment 6th	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'
Declaration Date	16-Aug-13
Record Date	2-Oct-13
Payable Date	15-Oct-13
Per Share	$0.48

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

Apr. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

20-May-13

Apr. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

20-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

20-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

20-May-13

20-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dividend Declared

Special Dividend

Special Dividend

Maximum

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted Stock And Units

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Stock options

Stock options

Stock options

Stock options

Dividend Declared

Special Dividend

Employees And Non Employee Directors

Officers And Executive Officers

Other Employees

General and Administrative Expense

General and Administrative Expense

General and Administrative Expense

General and Administrative Expense

General and Administrative Expense

Operating Expense

Operating Expense

Operating Expense

Operating Expense

Operating Expense

Person

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividend declared

'

$675,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividend declared per share

'

$6.66

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividend declared payment date

'

20-May-13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividend declared record date

'

19-Apr-13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividend declared, maximum percentage of cash dividend

'

'

'

'

20.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividend declared, cash

'

'

'

'

135,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares of CCA common stock distributed pursuant to the special dividend

'

'

13,900,000

13,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Closing price of common stock

$38.90

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted common stock and common stock units and stock options issued by CCA to certain of its employees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

415,000

'

349,000

'

139,000

'

'

'

'

369,000

'

290,000

'

'

46,000

'

59,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of restricted common stock and common stock units and stock options issued by CCA to certain of its employees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,300,000

'

9,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Special dividend on common stock

'

'

'

'

'

2,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,100,000

3,300,000

'

'

'

'

Vesting period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Performance criteria, cumulative period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percent of awards eligible to vest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

33.33%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vesting period, continuous service requirement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Allocated share-based compensation expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,600,000

2,000,000

7,300,000

5,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

2,300,000

1,700,000

6,400,000

4,800,000

'

300,000

300,000

900,000

800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted common stock and common stock units remained outstanding and subject to vesting

'

'

'

'

'

'

938,000

'

938,000

'

'

123,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expense net of estimated forfeitures, relating to common stock options

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$700,000

$1,200,000

$2,400,000

$3,500,000

Adjustment factor that resulted in the increase of number of share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.175

'

Number of employees and non-employee directors affected by the adjustment factor

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

49

'

Incremental Options awarded as a result of the adjustment factor

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000

'

Common stock options outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,800,000

'

2,800,000

'

Weighted average exercise price of common stock outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$18.98

'

$18.98

'

Schedule_of_Calculation_of_Num

Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$52,506	$42,240	$257,121	$111,708
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	-663	99	-3,757	-355
Net income	51,843	42,339	253,364	111,353
Weighted average shares and assumed conversions	116,872	100,842	109,300	100,464
Income from continuing operations	$0.46	$0.42	$2.38	$1.12
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	($0.01)	'	($0.03)	'
Net income	$0.45	$0.42	$2.35	$1.12
Income from continuing operations	$0.45	$0.42	$2.35	$1.11
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	($0.01)	'	($0.03)	'
Net income	$0.44	$0.42	$2.32	$1.11
Basic Earnings Per Share	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	52,506	42,240	257,121	111,708
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	-663	99	-3,757	-355
Net income	51,843	42,339	253,364	111,353
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic	115,282	99,637	107,640	99,500
Diluted Earnings Per Share	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	52,506	42,240	257,121	111,708
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	-663	99	-3,757	-355
Net income	$51,843	$42,339	$253,364	$111,353
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted	115,282	99,637	107,640	99,500
Stock options	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Effect of dilutive securities	1,165	973	1,335	790
Restricted stock	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Effect of dilutive securities	425	232	325	174

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	20-May-13	Apr. 30, 2013
					Special Dividend	Special Dividend
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of shares of CCA common stock distributed pursuant to the special dividend	'	'	'	'	13,900,000	13,900,000
Stock options excluded from computation of earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive	16,000	200,000	15,000	900,000	'	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 1997
	Bed	Hardeman County Correctional Facilities Corporation	Hardeman County Correctional Facilities Corporation
			Facility
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of pending legal proceedings that would have an effect on consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows	0	'	'
Issuance of revenue bonds	'	'	$72.70
Number of beds at the facility	90,000	'	2,016
Outstanding principal balance of revenue bonds	'	23.9	'
Outstanding principal balance of the bonds exceeded the purchase price option	'	$7.40	'

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
REIT, minimum percentage of taxable income required to be distributed	'	'	90.00%	'
Expected net tax benefit	'	'	$137,700,000	'
Income tax (expense) benefit	-4,571,000	-24,025,000	133,253,000	-65,634,000
Percentage of tax position benefit maximum than being realized upon ultimate settlement	'	'	50.00%	'
Liabilities for uncertain tax positions	$0	'	$0	'

Segment_Reporting_Additional_I

Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	Segment
	Facility
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Number of facilities owned and managed	50
Number of facilities owned by government partners, managed	16
Number of reporting segments	2

Schedule_of_Revenue_and_Facili

Schedule of Revenue and Facility Net Operating Income of Reportable Segments and Reconciliation to CCA's Operating Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total management revenue	$420,282	$434,022	$1,260,005	$1,291,689
Total operating expenses	297,955	300,810	891,411	905,937
Rental and other revenue	1,184	1,705	3,189	4,291
Other operating expense	-3,534	-4,781	-12,301	-14,128
General and administrative	-23,570	-22,015	-80,162	-66,950
Depreciation and amortization	-28,151	-28,388	-83,203	-84,656
Asset impairments	-985	'	-985	'
Operating income	67,271	79,733	195,132	224,309
Owned and managed	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total management revenue	344,150	358,730	1,034,251	1,068,431
Total operating expenses	232,778	235,065	696,681	708,931
Operating income	111,372	123,665	337,570	359,500
Managed-only	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total management revenue	76,132	75,292	225,754	223,258
Total operating expenses	65,177	65,745	194,730	197,006
Operating income	10,955	9,547	31,024	26,252
Facility	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating income	$122,327	$133,212	$368,594	$385,752

Summary_of_Capital_Expenditure

Summary of Capital Expenditures Including Accrued Amounts for Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total capital expenditures	$36,801	$18,437	$64,511	$59,814
Owned and managed	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total capital expenditures	33,439	14,983	56,781	44,419
Managed-only	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total capital expenditures	756	516	2,161	2,874
Discontinued Operations	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total capital expenditures	'	74	72	402
Corporate and Other	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total capital expenditures	$2,606	$2,864	$5,497	$12,119

Schedule_of_Assets_for_Reporta

Schedule of Assets for Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	$2,968,182	$2,974,742
Owned and managed	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	2,670,007	2,654,791
Managed-only	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	84,381	109,572
Corporate and Other	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	213,228	200,760
Discontinued Operations	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	$566	$9,619

Condensed_Consolidating_Balanc

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$70,094	$62,804	'	'
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	220,037	247,084	'	'
Deferred tax assets	5,174	8,022	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	27,434	26,383	'	'
Current assets of discontinued operations	541	6,449	'	'
Total current assets	323,280	350,742	'	'
Property and equipment, net	2,546,904	2,566,482	'	'
Restricted cash	5,835	5,022	'	'
Investment in direct financing lease	5,994	7,467	'	'
Goodwill	17,229	11,158	'	'
Other assets	65,956	30,701	'	'
Non-current deferred tax assets	2,959	'	'	'
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	25	3,170	'	'
Total assets	2,968,182	2,974,742	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	228,296	164,529	'	'
Income taxes payable	964	102	'	'
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	1,066	1,827	'	'
Total current liabilities	230,326	166,458	'	'
Long-term debt	1,185,000	1,111,545	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	'	139,526	'	'
Other liabilities	45,908	35,593	'	'
Total liabilities	1,461,234	1,453,122	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	1,506,948	1,521,620	1,492,078	1,408,022
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	2,968,182	2,974,742	'	'
Parent	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	51,008	'	'	'
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	178,973	136,128	'	'
Deferred tax assets	7	137	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,357	1,766	'	'
Total current assets	237,345	138,031	'	'
Property and equipment, net	2,450,227	2,462,917	'	'
Restricted cash	811	'	'	'
Investment in direct financing lease	5,994	7,467	'	'
Other assets	237,017	191,502	'	'
Total assets	2,931,394	2,799,917	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	237,726	28,061	'	'
Total current liabilities	237,726	28,061	'	'
Long-term debt	1,185,000	1,111,545	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	557	138,691	'	'
Other liabilities	1,163	'	'	'
Total liabilities	1,424,446	1,278,297	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	1,506,948	1,521,620	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	2,931,394	2,799,917	'	'
Combined Subsidiary Guarantors	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	19,086	62,804	'	'
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	175,227	249,512	'	'
Deferred tax assets	5,167	7,885	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	29,596	34,499	'	'
Current assets of discontinued operations	541	6,449	'	'
Total current assets	229,617	361,149	'	'
Property and equipment, net	96,677	103,565	'	'
Restricted cash	5,024	5,022	'	'
Goodwill	17,229	11,158	'	'
Other assets	44,459	114,922	'	'
Non-current deferred tax assets	3,516	'	'	'
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	25	3,170	'	'
Total assets	396,547	598,986	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	134,218	284,871	'	'
Income taxes payable	964	102	'	'
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	1,066	1,827	'	'
Total current liabilities	136,248	286,800	'	'
Long-term debt	115,000	100,000	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	'	835	'	'
Other liabilities	44,745	35,593	'	'
Total liabilities	295,993	423,228	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	100,554	175,758	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	396,547	598,986	'	'
Consolidating Adjustments and Other	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	-134,163	-138,556	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-9,519	-9,882	'	'
Total current assets	-143,682	-148,438	'	'
Other assets	-215,520	-275,723	'	'
Non-current deferred tax assets	-557	'	'	'
Total assets	-359,759	-424,161	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-143,648	-148,403	'	'
Total current liabilities	-143,648	-148,403	'	'
Long-term debt	-115,000	-100,000	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	-557	'	'	'
Total liabilities	-259,205	-248,403	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	-100,554	-175,758	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	($359,759)	($424,161)	'	'

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
REVENUES	$421,466	$435,727	$1,263,194	$1,295,980
EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'
Operating	301,489	305,591	903,712	920,065
General and administrative	23,570	22,015	80,162	66,950
Depreciation and amortization	28,151	28,388	83,203	84,656
Asset impairments	985	'	985	'
Costs and Expenses	354,195	355,994	1,068,062	1,071,671
Operating income	67,271	79,733	195,132	224,309
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net	10,378	13,722	34,856	45,341
Expenses associated with debt refinancing transactions	'	168	36,528	1,996
Other (income) expense	-184	-422	-120	-370
Total non-operating expense (income)	10,194	13,468	71,264	46,967
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	57,077	66,265	123,868	177,342
Income tax (expense) benefit	-4,571	-24,025	133,253	-65,634
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	52,506	42,240	257,121	111,708
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	-663	99	-3,757	-355
NET INCOME	51,843	42,339	253,364	111,353
Parent	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
REVENUES	312,837	357,515	945,213	1,063,159
EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'
Operating	232,380	238,115	704,221	715,354
General and administrative	6,954	17,524	24,649	53,292
Depreciation and amortization	19,268	18,805	56,855	55,515
Costs and Expenses	258,602	274,444	785,725	824,161
Operating income	54,235	83,071	159,488	238,998
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net	8,877	13,426	29,593	44,453
Expenses associated with debt refinancing transactions	'	168	28,563	1,996
Other (income) expense	-275	-70	45	-22
Total non-operating expense (income)	8,602	13,524	58,201	46,427
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	45,633	69,547	101,287	192,571
Income tax (expense) benefit	-217	-24,828	137,981	-68,748
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	45,416	44,719	239,268	123,823
Income (Loss) from equity in subsidiaries	6,427	-2,380	14,096	-12,470
NET INCOME	51,843	42,339	253,364	111,353
Combined Subsidiary Guarantors	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
REVENUES	337,548	82,668	1,007,279	246,254
EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'
Operating	298,028	71,932	888,789	218,144
General and administrative	16,616	4,491	55,513	13,658
Depreciation and amortization	8,883	9,583	26,348	29,141
Asset impairments	985	'	985	'
Costs and Expenses	324,512	86,006	971,635	260,943
Operating income	13,036	-3,338	35,644	-14,689
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net	1,501	296	5,263	888
Expenses associated with debt refinancing transactions	'	'	7,965	'
Other (income) expense	111	-1	-107	-36
Total non-operating expense (income)	1,612	295	13,121	852
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	11,424	-3,633	22,523	-15,541
Income tax (expense) benefit	-4,354	803	-4,728	3,114
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	7,070	-2,830	17,795	-12,427
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	-663	99	-3,757	-355
NET INCOME	6,407	-2,731	14,038	-12,782
Consolidating Adjustments and Other	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
REVENUES	-228,919	-4,456	-689,298	-13,433
EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'
Operating	-228,919	-4,456	-689,298	-13,433
Costs and Expenses	-228,919	-4,456	-689,298	-13,433
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'
Other (income) expense	-20	-351	-58	-312
Total non-operating expense (income)	-20	-351	-58	-312
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	20	351	58	312
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	20	351	58	312
Income (Loss) from equity in subsidiaries	-6,427	2,380	-14,096	12,470
NET INCOME	($6,407)	$2,731	($14,038)	$12,782

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem1

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	$283,604	$223,051
Net cash used in investing activities	-82,568	-62,300
Net cash used in financing activities	-193,710	-157,341
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	7,326	3,410
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	62,897	55,832
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	70,223	59,242
Parent	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	165,603	202,674
Net cash used in investing activities	-52,887	-35,307
Net cash used in financing activities	-61,708	-167,367
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	51,008	'
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	51,008	'
Combined Subsidiary Guarantors	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	118,001	20,377
Net cash used in investing activities	-44,681	-26,993
Net cash used in financing activities	-117,002	10,026
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-43,682	3,410
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	62,897	55,832
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	19,215	59,242
Consolidating Adjustments and Other	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash used in investing activities	15,000	'
Net cash used in financing activities	($15,000)	'