CoreCivic (CXW) 10-Q 7 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	1-May-15
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	CXW
Entity Registrant Name	CORRECTIONS CORP OF AMERICA
Entity Central Index Key	1070985
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		117,023,243

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$74,022	$74,393
Restricted cash	2,254
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $2,269 and $748, respectively	226,275	248,588
Current deferred tax assets	11,414	13,229
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	29,213	29,775
Total current assets	343,178	365,985
Property and equipment, net	2,720,082	2,658,628
Restricted cash	105	2,858
Investment in direct financing lease	2,617	3,223
Goodwill	15,155	16,110
Non-current deferred tax assets	3,479	2,301
Other assets	75,155	78,086
Total assets	3,159,771	3,127,191
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	316,149	317,566
Income taxes payable	659	1,368
Current liabilities of discontinued operations		54
Total current liabilities	316,808	318,988
Long-term debt	1,240,000	1,200,000
Deferred revenue	91,607	87,227
Other liabilities	37,740	39,476
Total liabilities	1,686,155	1,645,691
Commitments and contingencies
Preferred stock - $0.01 par value; 50,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	0	0
Common stock - $0.01 par value; 300,000 shares authorized; 117,000 and 116,764 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	1,170	1,168
Additional paid-in capital	1,746,727	1,748,303
Accumulated deficit	-274,281	-267,971
Total stockholders' equity	1,473,616	1,481,500
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$3,159,771	$3,127,191

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accounts receivable, allowance	$2,269	$748
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000	50,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000	300,000
Common stock, shares issued	117,000	116,764
Common stock, shares outstanding	117,000	116,764

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
REVENUES:	$426,000	$404,222
EXPENSES:
Operating	300,662	287,380
General and administrative	26,872	25,392
Depreciation and amortization	28,685	28,384
Asset impairments	955
Costs and Expenses, Total	357,174	341,156
OPERATING INCOME	68,826	63,066
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:
Interest expense, net	10,190	10,348
Other income	-26	-387
Total non-operating expense (income)	10,164	9,961
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	58,662	53,105
Income tax expense	-1,385	-1,367
NET INCOME	$57,277	$51,738
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	$0.49	$0.45
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$0.49	$0.44
Regular Dividend
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:
Dividend declared on common stock, per share	$0.54	$0.51

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$57,277	$51,738
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	28,685	28,384
Asset impairments	955
Amortization of debt issuance costs and other non-cash interest	776	771
Deferred income taxes	637	-995
Non-cash revenue and other income	-496	-496
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	-379	-103
Non-cash equity compensation	3,798	3,293
Other expenses and non-cash items	1,545	2,316
Changes in assets and liabilities, net:
Accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	22,930	7,610
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,788	-26,655
Income taxes payable	-330	719
Net cash provided by operating activities	117,186	66,582
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Expenditures for facility development and expansions	-63,366	-18,507
Expenditures for other capital improvements	-14,562	-8,573
Capitalized lease payments	-16,283
Proceeds from sale of assets	45	192
Decrease (increase) in other assets	2,048	-314
Payments received on direct financing lease and notes receivable	537	476
Net cash used in investing activities	-91,581	-26,726
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of debt	70,000	35,000
Principal repayments of debt	-30,000	-45,000
Dividends paid	-61,136	-56,267
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	379	103
Purchase and retirement of common stock	-9,261	-2,768
Decrease in restricted cash for dividends	500
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	3,542	3,838
Net cash used in financing activities	-25,976	-65,094
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-371	-25,238
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	74,393	77,919
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	74,022	52,681
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest (net of amounts capitalized of $1,196 and $435 in 2015 and 2014, respectively)	2,099	2,476
Income taxes paid	$1,167	$224

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas1

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Interest, capitalized interest	$1,196	$435

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Regular Dividend	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	(Accumulated Deficit) Retained Earnings	(Accumulated Deficit) Retained Earnings
In Thousands						Regular Dividend
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$1,502,507		$1,159	$1,725,363	($224,015)
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013			115,923
Net income	51,738				51,738
Retirement of common stock (in shares)			-84
Retirement of common stock	-2,768		-1	-2,767
Dividend on common stock		-59,697				-59,697
Restricted stock compensation, net of forfeitures (in shares)			-3
Restricted stock compensation, net of forfeitures	2,681			2,661	20
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	103			103
Stock option compensation expense, net of forfeitures	612			612
Restricted stock grants (in shares)			245
Restricted stock grants	2		2
Stock options exercised (in shares)			258
Stock options exercised	3,838		3	3,835
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	1,499,016		1,163	1,729,807	-231,954
Ending Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2014			116,339
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	1,481,500		1,168	1,748,303	-267,971
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014			116,764
Net income	57,277				57,277
Retirement of common stock (in shares)			-230
Retirement of common stock	-9,261		-2	-9,259
Dividend on common stock		-63,621				-63,621
Restricted stock compensation, net of forfeitures (in shares)			-3
Restricted stock compensation, net of forfeitures	3,426			3,392	34
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	379			379
Stock option compensation expense, net of forfeitures	372			372
Restricted stock grants (in shares)			293
Restricted stock grants	3		3
Stock options exercised (in shares)			176
Stock options exercised	3,541		1	3,540
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$1,473,616		$1,170	$1,746,727	($274,281)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2015			117,000

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc1

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (Regular Dividend, USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Regular Dividend
Dividend on common stock, per share	$0.54	$0.51

ORGANIZATION_AND_OPERATIONS

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS	1	ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS
	Corrections Corporation of America (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “CCA”) is the nation’s largest owner of privatized correctional and detention facilities and one of the largest prison operators in the United States. As of March 31, 2015, CCA owned or controlled 50 correctional and detention facilities, and managed an additional 12 facilities owned by its government partners, with a total design capacity of approximately 81,500 beds in 19 states and the District of Columbia.
	CCA is a Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) specializing in owning, operating and managing prisons and other correctional facilities and providing residential, community re-entry, and prisoner transportation services for governmental agencies. In addition to providing fundamental residential services, CCA’s facilities offer a variety of rehabilitation and educational programs, including basic education, faith-based services, life skills and employment training, and substance abuse treatment. These services are intended to help reduce recidivism and to prepare offenders for their successful re-entry into society upon their release. CCA also provides or makes available to offenders certain health care (including medical, dental and mental health services), food services, and work and recreational programs.
	CCA began operating as a REIT for federal income tax purposes effective January 1, 2013. The Company provides correctional services and conducts 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 comply with REIT qualification requirements while providing correctional services at facilities it owns and at facilities owned by its government partners and to engage in certain other business operations. A TRS is not subject to the distribution requirements applicable to REITs so it may retain income generated by its operations for reinvestment.

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION_AND_SUMM

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 25, 2015 (File No. 001-16109) (the “2014 Form 10-K”) with respect to certain significant accounting and financial reporting policies as well as other pertinent information of the Company.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, which establishes a single, comprehensive revenue recognition standard for all contracts with customers. For public reporting entities such as CCA, ASU 2014-09 is currently effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption of the ASU is not permitted. In April 2015, the FASB announced it proposed a one-year deferral of the effective date which, if approved, would defer the effective date for public reporting entities to interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption would be allowed as of the original effective date for public companies. CCA is reviewing the ASU to determine the potential impact it might have on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, or financial position and its related financial statement disclosures, along with evaluating which transition method will be utilized upon adoption.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs”. Under the new standard, debt issuance costs will be presented as a direct deduction from the face amount of the related liability, rather than as a deferred charge, or asset, on the balance sheet as currently required. For public reporting entities such as CCA, guidance in ASU 2015-03 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. While it is permitted, CCA does not currently plan to adopt the new requirements of the ASU earlier than the effective date. The unamortized balance of debt issuance costs amounted to $13.6 million and $14.3 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and is reflected within other long-term assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	To meet the reporting requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 825, “Financial Instruments”, regarding fair value of financial instruments, CCA calculates the estimated fair value of financial instruments using market interest rates, quoted market prices of similar instruments, or discounted cash flow techniques with observable Level 1 inputs for publicly traded debt and Level 2 inputs for all other financial instruments, as defined in ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement”. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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):
			March 31, 2015						December 31, 2014
			Carrying			Fair Value			Carrying			Fair Value
			Amount						Amount
	Investment in direct financing lease		$	4,936		$	5,398		$	5,473		$	6,048
	Note receivable from APM		$	3,511		$	6,244		$	3,677		$	6,539
	Debt		$	(1,240,000	)	$	(1,248,375	)	$	(1,200,000	)	$	(1,179,625	)
	Revenue Recognition – Multiple-Element Arrangement
	In September 2014, CCA agreed under an expansion of an existing inter-governmental service agreement (“IGSA”) between the city of Eloy, Arizona and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) to provide residential space and services at the newly activated South Texas Family Residential Center. The amended IGSA qualifies as a multiple-element arrangement under the guidance in ASC 605, “Revenue Recognition”. CCA evaluates each deliverable in an arrangement to determine whether it represents a separate unit of accounting. A deliverable constitutes a separate unit of accounting when it has standalone value to the customer. ASC 605 requires revenue to be allocated to each unit of accounting based on a selling price hierarchy. The selling price for a deliverable is based on its vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of selling price, if available, third party evidence (“TPE”) if VSOE of selling price is not available, or estimated selling price (“ESP”) if neither VSOE of selling price nor TPE is available. CCA establishes VSOE of selling price using the price charged for a deliverable when sold separately. CCA establishes TPE of selling price by evaluating similar products or services in standalone sales to similarly situated customers. CCA establishes ESP based on management judgment considering internal factors such as margin objectives, pricing practices and controls, and market conditions. In arrangements with multiple elements, CCA allocates the transaction price to the individual units of accounting at inception of the arrangement based on their relative selling price.

GOODWILL

GOODWILL	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
GOODWILL	3	GOODWILL
	ASC 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other”, establishes accounting and reporting requirements for goodwill and other intangible assets. Goodwill was $15.2 million and $16.1 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. This goodwill was established in connection with the acquisition of Correctional Alternatives, Inc. (“CAI”) during the third quarter of 2013, and the acquisitions of two service companies during 2000.
	CCA applies the FASB’s ASU 2011-08, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other”, which 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.
	In early April 2015, CCA provided notice to the state of Louisiana that it will cease management of the Winn Correctional Center within 180 days, in accordance with the notice provisions of the contract. In anticipation of terminating the contract at this facility, CCA recorded an asset impairment of $1.0 million during the first quarter of 2015 for the write-off of goodwill associated with the Winn facility. CCA generated operating income of $0.2 million at this facility for the three months ended March 31, 2014, and incurred an operating loss of $2.5 million (including the write-off of goodwill) for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

REAL_ESTATE_TRANSACTIONS

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS	4	REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
	Idle Facilities
	CCA has five idled facilities that are 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		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Prairie Correctional Facility			1,600		2010	$	18,459	$	18,748
	Huerfano County Correctional Center			752		2010		18,844		19,033
	Diamondback Correctional Facility			2,160		2010		44,113		44,480
	Otter Creek Correctional Center			656		2012		23,881		24,089
	Marion Adjustment Center			826		2013		12,868		12,978
				5,994			$	118,165	$	119,328
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the five idled facilities incurred combined operating expenses of approximately $1.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively. The operating expenses incurred in 2014 exclude the incremental expenses incurred in connection with the activation of the Diamondback facility which began in the third quarter of 2013 and continued until near the end of the second quarter of 2014, when anticipated opportunities to activate the facility were deferred.
	CCA considers the cancellation of a contract as an indicator of impairment and 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. Upon notification of cancellation by the respective customers, 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 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 the five idled facilities to have recoverable values in excess of the corresponding carrying values.
	Construction of New Facilities
	In order to retain federal inmate populations CCA currently manages in the 1,154-bed San Diego Correctional Facility, CCA is constructing the 1,492-bed Otay Mesa Detention Center 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 March 31, 2015, CCA has invested approximately $136.1 million in the new facility. CCA expects to complete construction of the Otay Mesa Detention Center during the third quarter of 2015. CCA plans to offer this new facility to house the existing federal inmate populations at the San Diego Correctional Facility.
	In November 2013, CCA announced its decision to re-commence construction of a correctional facility in Trousdale County, Tennessee. CCA suspended construction of this facility in 2009 until it had greater clarity around the timing of a new contract. 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. In April 2014, CCA entered into an agreement with Trousdale County whereby CCA agreed to finance, design, build and operate a 2,552-bed facility to meet the responsibilities of a separate IGSA between Trousdale County and the state of Tennessee regarding correctional services. In July 2014, CCA received notice that Trousdale County and the state of Tennessee finalized the IGSA. The IGSA with the state of Tennessee includes a minimum monthly payment plus a per diem payment for each inmate housed in the facility in excess of 90% of the design capacity, provided that during a twenty-six week ramp period the minimum payment is based on the greater of the number of inmates actually at the facility or 90% of the beds available pursuant to the ramp schedule. As of March 31, 2015, CCA has invested approximately $87.4 million in the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center and construction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2015.
	Activations
	In September 2014, CCA announced that it had agreed under an expansion of an existing IGSA between the City of Eloy, Arizona and ICE to house up to 2,400 individuals at the South Texas Family Residential Center, a facility leased by CCA in Dilley, Texas. Services provided under the amended IGSA commenced in the fourth quarter of 2014, have a term of up to four years, and can be extended by bi-lateral modifications. The agreement provides for a fixed monthly payment in accordance with a graduated schedule. Under terms of the amended IGSA, ICE can terminate the agreement for convenience, without penalty, by providing CCA with at least a 90-day notice. In addition, terms allow for ICE to terminate the agreement with CCA at any time, without penalty, due to a non-appropriation of funds. ICE began housing the first residents at the facility in December 2014, and the site is expected to be ready for full capacity during the second quarter of 2015.
	Under the fixed monthly payment schedule of the amended IGSA, ICE agreed to pay CCA $70.0 million in two $35.0 million installments during the fourth quarter of 2014 and graduated fixed monthly payments over the remaining months of the contract. As described in Note 2, CCA used the multiple-element arrangement guidance prescribed in ASC 605, “Revenue Recognition” in determining the total revenue to be recognized over the term of the amended IGSA. CCA determined that there were five distinct elements related to the amended IGSA with ICE. In the first quarter of 2015, CCA recognized $36.0 million in revenue associated with the amended IGSA with the unrecognized balance of the fixed monthly payments reported in deferred revenue. The current portion of deferred revenue is reflected within accounts payable and accrued expenses while the long-term portion is reflected in deferred revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015.
	In January 2015, a class action lawsuit was filed in federal district court for the District of Columbia against the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) and certain ICE officials. The complaint sought to certify a class of plaintiffs, consisting of Central American mothers and children who (i) have been or will be detained in ICE family detention facilities since June 2014, (ii) have been or will be determined to have a credible fear of persecution in their home country under federal asylum laws and (iii) are eligible for release on bond pursuant to certain federal statutes but have been or will be denied such release after being subject to an ICE custody determination that took deterrence of mass migration into account. In February 2015, the court certified the class and granted the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction, enjoining DHS from detaining class members for the purpose of deterring future immigration to the United States and from considering deterrence of such immigration as a factor in such custody determinations until a final determination has been reached on the merits of the action. On March 20, 2015, DHS moved the court to reconsider and vacate its order, arguing that the relief the court granted exceeded that which was appropriate in the case. Plaintiffs responded to the DHS motion, and DHS has until May 8, 2015, to submit a response to that filing. Any adverse decision with regard to this contract could materially affect CCA’s financial condition and results of operations.

DEBT

DEBT	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
DEBT	5	DEBT
	Debt outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consists of the following (in thousands):
			March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	Revolving Credit Facility, principal due at maturity in December 2017; interest payable periodically at variable interest rates. The weighted average rate at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was 1.9%.		$	565,000	$	525,000
	4.625% Senior Notes, principal due at maturity in May 2023; interest payable semi-annually in May and November at 4.625%.			350,000		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		325,000
			$	1,240,000	$	1,200,000
	Revolving Credit Facility. During March 2013, CCA entered into an amended and restated $900.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “$900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility”). In addition to replacing the previous $785.0 million revolving credit facility, the amendment extended the maturity by one year to December 2017, and provided covenant flexibility to operate as a REIT.
	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 includes 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 0.75% or at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.75%, and a commitment fee equal to 0.35% 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 March 31, 2015, CCA had $565.0 million in borrowings under the $900.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility as well as $16.3 million in letters of credit outstanding resulting in $318.7 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 March 31, 2015, 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 of control.
	Senior Notes. Interest on the $325.0 million aggregate principal amount of CCA’s 4.125% senior notes issued in April 2013 (the “4.125% Senior Notes”) accrues at the stated rate and is payable in April and October of each year. The 4.125% Senior Notes are scheduled to mature on April 1, 2020. Interest on the $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of CCA’s 4.625% senior notes issued in April 2013 (the “4.625% Senior Notes”) accrues at the stated rate and is payable in May and November of each year. The 4.625% Senior Notes are scheduled to mature on May 1, 2023. The 4.125% Senior Notes and the 4.625% Senior Notes, collectively referred to herein as the “Senior 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. CCA may redeem all or part of the Senior 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 Senior 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	6	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Dividends on Common Stock
	During 2014 and the first quarter of 2015, CCA’s Board of Directors declared the following quarterly dividends on its common stock:
	Declaration Date		Record Date	Payable Date	Per Share
	February 20, 2014		2-Apr-14	15-Apr-14	$	0.51
	May 15, 2014		2-Jul-14	15-Jul-14	$	0.51
	August 14, 2014		October 2, 2014	October 15, 2014	$	0.51
	December 11, 2014		2-Jan-15	January 15, 2015	$	0.51
	February 20, 2015		2-Apr-15	15-Apr-15	$	0.54
	Future dividends will depend on CCA’s distribution requirements as a REIT, future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, opportunities for alternative uses of capital, and on such other factors as the Board of Directors of CCA may consider relevant.
	Stock Options
	In the first quarter of 2015 and during 2014, CCA elected not to issue stock options to its non-employee directors, officers, and executive officers as it had in years prior to 2013 and instead elected to issue all of its equity compensation in the form of restricted common stock and common stock units as described below. However, CCA continues to recognize stock option expense during the vesting period of stock options awarded in prior years. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, CCA expensed $0.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively, net of estimated forfeitures, relating to its outstanding stock options, all of which was charged to general and administrative expenses. As of March 31, 2015, options to purchase 1.7 million shares of common stock were outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $19.98.
	Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
	During the first quarter of 2015, CCA issued 421,000 shares of restricted common stock units (“RSUs”) to certain of its employees and non-employee directors, with an aggregate fair value of $16.9 million, including 370,000 RSUs to employees and non-employee directors whose compensation is charged to general and administrative expenses and 51,000 RSUs to employees whose compensation is charged to operating expense. During 2014, CCA issued 548,000 shares of RSUs to certain of its employees and non-employee directors, with an aggregate fair value of $17.8 million, including 478,000 RSUs to employees and non-employee directors whose compensation is charged to general and administrative expense and 70,000 RSUs to employees whose compensation is charged to operating expense.
	CCA established performance-based vesting conditions on the shares of restricted common stock and RSUs awarded to its officers and executive officers in 2015 and 2014 and in years prior to 2013. Unless earlier vested under the terms of the agreements, shares or RSUs issued to officers and executive officers in these years are subject to vesting over a three-year period based upon the satisfaction of certain performance criteria. With respect to the RSUs issued in 2015 to officers and executive officers, annual performance criteria was established for each of the three years ending December 31, 2015, 2016, and 2017, and no more than one-third of the RSUs may vest in any one performance period. With respect to RSUs issued in 2014 and in years prior to 2013, no more than one-third of such shares or RSUs may vest in the first performance period; however, the performance criteria are cumulative for the three-year period. With respect to the RSUs issued in 2013 to officers and executive officers, unless earlier vested under the terms of the RSU agreement, the RSUs issued vest evenly over a three-year period and are not subject to performance-based criteria. Shares of restricted stock and RSUs issued to other employees, unless earlier vested under the terms of the agreements, “cliff” vest on the third anniversary of the award, while RSUs issued to non-employee directors vest one year from the date of award.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, CCA expensed $3.4 million, net of forfeitures, relating to restricted common stock and RSUs ($0.4 million of which was recorded in operating expenses and $3.0 million of which was recorded in general and administrative expenses). During the three months ended March 31, 2014, CCA expensed $2.7 million, net of forfeitures, relating to restricted common stock and RSUs ($0.3 million of which was recorded in operating expenses and $2.4 million of which was recorded in general and administrative expenses). As of March 31, 2015, approximately 1.0 million shares of restricted common stock and RSUs remained outstanding and subject to vesting.

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
EARNINGS PER SHARE	7	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. 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 share 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
			Ended March 31,
			2015		2014
	NUMERATOR
	Basic:
	Net income		$	57,277	$	51,738
	Diluted:
	Net income		$	57,277	$	51,738
	DENOMINATOR
	Basic:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding			116,634		115,773
	Diluted:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding			116,634		115,773
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options			869		963
	Restricted stock-based compensation			265		224
	Weighted average shares and assumed conversions			117,768		116,960
	BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE		$	0.49	$	0.45
	DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE		$	0.49	$	0.44
	Approximately 15,900 stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2014 because they were anti-dilutive. There were no stock options excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	8	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, offenders or others. The nature of such claims includes, but is not limited to, claims arising from employee or offender misconduct, medical malpractice, employment matters, property loss, contractual claims, including claims regarding compliance with contract performance requirements, and personal injury or other damages resulting from contact with CCA’s facilities, personnel or offenders, including damages arising from an offender’s escape or from a disturbance at a facility. In February 2014, CCA reached an agreement with the state of Idaho regarding contractual disputes related to staffing at the Idaho Correctional Center. In addition, CCA was notified that an investigation by the FBI was being undertaken and CCA received additional inquiries from other government partners concerning matters related to the Idaho Correctional Center. 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 resulting from legal proceedings or from the investigation or inquiries described above, 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 $18.6 million at March 31, 2015 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 March 31, 2015, the outstanding principal balance of the bonds exceeded the purchase price option by $8.4 million.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
INCOME TAXES	9	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 stockholders. Therefore, the Company should not be subject to federal income taxes if it distributes 100 percent of its taxable income. In addition, the Company must meet a number of other organizational and operational requirements. It is management’s intention to adhere to these requirements and maintain the Company’s REIT status. 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 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. 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 $1.4 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. As a REIT, CCA is 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 is incurred based on the earnings generated by its TRSs. CCA’s overall effective tax rate is estimated based on its current projection of taxable income primarily generated in its TRSs. The Company’s consolidated effective tax rate could fluctuate in the future based on changes in estimates of taxable income, the relative amounts of taxable income generated by the TRSs and the REIT, the implementation of additional tax planning strategies, changes in federal or state tax rates or laws affecting tax credits available to the Company, 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 the Company’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 March 31, 2015. 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
SEGMENT REPORTING	10	SEGMENT REPORTING
	As of March 31, 2015, CCA owned and managed 47 correctional and detention facilities, and managed 12 correctional and detention facilities it did not own. In addition, CCA owned three facilities that it leased to third-party operators. Management views CCA’s operating results in one operating segment. However, the Company has chosen to report financial performance segregated for (1) owned and managed correctional and detention facilities and (2) managed-only correctional and detention facilities as the Company believes this information is useful to users of the financial statements. Owned and managed facilities include the operating results of those facilities placed into service that were owned or controlled via a long-term lease and managed by CCA. Managed-only facilities include the operating results of those facilities owned by a third party and managed by CCA. The operating performance of the owned and managed and the managed-only correctional and detention facilities can be measured based on their 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.
	The revenue and net operating income for the owned and managed and the managed-only facilities and a reconciliation to CCA’s operating income is as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
			For the Three Months
			Ended March 31,
			2015			2014
	Revenue:
	Owned and managed		$	363,964		$	334,912
	Managed-only			52,944			64,003
	Total management revenue			416,908			398,915
	Operating expenses:
	Owned and managed			244,300			227,648
	Managed-only			48,009			58,445
	Total operating expenses			292,309			286,093
	Facility net operating income
	Owned and managed			119,664			107,264
	Managed-only			4,935			5,558
	Total facility net operating income			124,599			112,822
	Other revenue (expense):
	Rental and other revenue			9,092			5,307
	Other operating expense			(8,353	)		(1,287	)
	General and administrative expense			(26,872	)		(25,392	)
	Depreciation and amortization			(28,685	)		(28,384	)
	Asset impairments			(955	)		—
	Operating income		$	68,826		$	63,066
	The following table summarizes capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
			For the Three Months
			Ended March 31,
			2015			2014
	Capital expenditures:
	Owned and managed		$	82,834		$	25,620
	Managed-only			731			632
	Corporate and other			7,614			1,032
	Total capital expenditures		$	91,179		$	27,284
	The total assets are as follows (in thousands):
			March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Assets:
	Owned and managed		$	2,784,343		$	2,745,905
	Managed-only			63,513			68,146
	Corporate and other			311,915			313,140
	Total assets		$	3,159,771		$	3,127,191

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATING_FINANC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES	11	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
	The following condensed consolidating financial statements of CCA and subsidiaries have been prepared pursuant to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. These condensed consolidating financial statements have been prepared from the Company’s financial information on the same basis of accounting as the consolidated financial statements.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	As of March 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
			Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
						Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
						Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	20,456		$	53,566		$	—		$	74,022
	Restricted cash			662			1,592			—			2,254
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance			172,348			149,751			(95,824	)		226,275
	Current deferred tax assets			152			11,262			—			11,414
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets			3,888			33,514			(8,189	)		29,213
	Total current assets			197,506			249,685			(104,013	)		343,178
	Property and equipment, net			2,485,077			235,005			—			2,720,082
	Restricted cash			105			—			—			105
	Investment in direct financing lease			2,617			—			—			2,617
	Goodwill			—			15,155			—			15,155
	Non-current deferred tax assets			—			3,892			(413	)		3,479
	Other assets			239,176			45,874			(209,895	)		75,155
	Total assets		$	2,924,481		$	549,611		$	(314,321	)	$	3,159,771
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	209,626		$	210,502		$	(103,979	)	$	316,149
	Income taxes payable			1			658			—			659
	Total current liabilities			209,627			211,160			(103,979	)		316,808
	Long-term debt			1,240,000			115,000			(115,000	)		1,240,000
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities			413			—			(413	)		—
	Deferred revenue			—			91,607			—			91,607
	Other liabilities			825			36,915			—			37,740
	Total liabilities			1,450,865			454,682			(219,392	)		1,686,155
	Total stockholders’ equity			1,473,616			94,929			(94,929	)		1,473,616
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	2,924,481		$	549,611		$	(314,321	)	$	3,159,771
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	As of December 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
			Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
						Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
						Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	12,337		$	62,056		$	—		$	74,393
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance			167,626			178,911			(97,949	)		248,588
	Current deferred tax assets			—			13,241			(12	)		13,229
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets			17,060			34,705			(21,990	)		29,775
	Total current assets			197,023			288,913			(119,951	)		365,985
	Property and equipment, net			2,459,053			199,575			—			2,658,628
	Restricted cash			1,267			1,591			—			2,858
	Investment in direct financing lease			3,223			—			—			3,223
	Goodwill			—			16,110			—			16,110
	Non-current deferred tax assets			—			2,778			(477	)		2,301
	Other assets			241,690			47,046			(210,650	)		78,086
	Total assets		$	2,902,256		$	556,013		$	(331,078	)	$	3,127,191
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	218,403		$	205,213		$	(106,050	)	$	317,566
	Income taxes payable			195			1,173			—			1,368
	Current deferred tax liabilities			13			—			(13	)		—
	Note payable to an affiliate			—			13,854			(13,854	)		—
	Current liabilities of discontinued operations			—			54			—			54
	Total current liabilities			218,611			220,294			(119,917	)		318,988
	Long-term debt			1,200,000			115,000			(115,000	)		1,200,000
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities			477			—			(477	)		—
	Deferred revenue			—			87,227			—			87,227
	Other liabilities			1,668			37,808			—			39,476
	Total liabilities			1,420,756			460,329			(235,394	)		1,645,691
Total stockholders’ equity			1,481,500			95,684			(95,684	)		1,481,500
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	2,902,256		$	556,013		$	(331,078	)	$	3,127,191
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the three months ended March 31, 2015
(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
REVENUES		$	303,040		$	335,223		$	(212,263	)	$	426,000
EXPENSES:
Operating			221,677			291,248			(212,263	)		300,662
General and administrative			8,800			18,072			—			26,872
Depreciation and amortization			20,069			8,616			—			28,685
Asset impairments			—			955			—			955
			250,546			318,891			(212,263	)		357,174
OPERATING INCOME			52,494			16,332			—			68,826
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:
Interest expense, net			8,427			1,763			—			10,190
Other (income) expense			171			(121	)		(76	)		(26	)
			8,598			1,642			(76	)		10,164
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES			43,896			14,690			76			58,662
Income tax expense			(176	)		(1,209	)		—			(1,385	)
INCOME BEFORE EQUITY IN SUBSIDIARIES			43,720			13,481			76			57,277
Income from equity in subsidiaries			13,557			—			(13,557	)		—
NET INCOME		$	57,277		$	13,481		$	(13,481	)	$	57,277
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the three months ended March 31, 2014
(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
REVENUES		$	306,248		$	311,247		$	(213,273	)	$	404,222
EXPENSES:
Operating			219,705			280,948			(213,273	)		287,380
General and administrative			8,676			16,716			—			25,392
Depreciation and amortization			19,769			8,615			—			28,384
			248,150			306,279			(213,273	)		341,156
OPERATING INCOME			58,098			4,968			—			63,066
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:
Interest expense, net			8,602			1,746			—			10,348
Other (income) expense			(38	)		(79	)		(270	)		(387	)
			8,564			1,667			(270	)		9,961
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES			49,534			3,301			270			53,105
Income tax expense			(220	)		(1,147	)		—			(1,367	)
INCOME BEFORE EQUITY IN SUBSIDIARIES			49,314			2,154			270			51,738
Income from equity in subsidiaries			2,424			—			(2,424	)		—
NET INCOME		$	51,738		$	2,154		$	(2,154	)	$	51,738
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the three months ended March 31, 2015
(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			And Other			Amounts
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	65,048		$	52,138		$	—		$	117,186
Net cash used in investing activities			(32,119	)		(32,463	)		(26,999	)		(91,581	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(24,810	)		(28,165	)		26,999			(25,976	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			8,119			(8,490	)		—			(371	)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period			12,337			62,056			—			74,393
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period		$	20,456		$	53,566		$	—		$	74,022
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the three months ended March 31, 2014
(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			And Other			Amounts
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	86,628		$	(20,046	)	$	—		$	66,582
Net cash used in investing activities			(24,008	)		(2,718	)		—			(26,726	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(66,062	)		968			—			(65,094	)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(3,442	)		(21,796	)		—			(25,238	)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period			31,647			46,272			—			77,919
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period		$	28,205		$	24,476		$	—		$	52,681

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION_AND_SUMM1

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, which establishes a single, comprehensive revenue recognition standard for all contracts with customers. For public reporting entities such as CCA, ASU 2014-09 is currently effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption of the ASU is not permitted. In April 2015, the FASB announced it proposed a one-year deferral of the effective date which, if approved, would defer the effective date for public reporting entities to interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption would be allowed as of the original effective date for public companies. CCA is reviewing the ASU to determine the potential impact it might have on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, or financial position and its related financial statement disclosures, along with evaluating which transition method will be utilized upon adoption.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs”. Under the new standard, debt issuance costs will be presented as a direct deduction from the face amount of the related liability, rather than as a deferred charge, or asset, on the balance sheet as currently required. For public reporting entities such as CCA, guidance in ASU 2015-03 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. While it is permitted, CCA does not currently plan to adopt the new requirements of the ASU earlier than the effective date. The unamortized balance of debt issuance costs amounted to $13.6 million and $14.3 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and is reflected within other long-term assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	To meet the reporting requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 825, “Financial Instruments”, regarding fair value of financial instruments, CCA calculates the estimated fair value of financial instruments using market interest rates, quoted market prices of similar instruments, or discounted cash flow techniques with observable Level 1 inputs for publicly traded debt and Level 2 inputs for all other financial instruments, as defined in ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement”. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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):
		March 31, 2015						December 31, 2014
		Carrying			Fair Value			Carrying			Fair Value
		Amount						Amount
	Investment in direct financing lease	$	4,936		$	5,398		$	5,473		$	6,048
	Note receivable from APM	$	3,511		$	6,244		$	3,677		$	6,539
	Debt	$	(1,240,000	)	$	(1,248,375	)	$	(1,200,000	)	$	(1,179,625	)
Revenue Recognition - Multiple-Element Arrangement	Revenue Recognition – Multiple-Element Arrangement
	In September 2014, CCA agreed under an expansion of an existing inter-governmental service agreement (“IGSA”) between the city of Eloy, Arizona and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) to provide residential space and services at the newly activated South Texas Family Residential Center. The amended IGSA qualifies as a multiple-element arrangement under the guidance in ASC 605, “Revenue Recognition”. CCA evaluates each deliverable in an arrangement to determine whether it represents a separate unit of accounting. A deliverable constitutes a separate unit of accounting when it has standalone value to the customer. ASC 605 requires revenue to be allocated to each unit of accounting based on a selling price hierarchy. The selling price for a deliverable is based on its vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of selling price, if available, third party evidence (“TPE”) if VSOE of selling price is not available, or estimated selling price (“ESP”) if neither VSOE of selling price nor TPE is available. CCA establishes VSOE of selling price using the price charged for a deliverable when sold separately. CCA establishes TPE of selling price by evaluating similar products or services in standalone sales to similarly situated customers. CCA establishes ESP based on management judgment considering internal factors such as margin objectives, pricing practices and controls, and market conditions. In arrangements with multiple elements, CCA allocates the transaction price to the individual units of accounting at inception of the arrangement based on their relative selling price.

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION_AND_SUMM2

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Schedule of Financial Instruments Having Difference Between Carrying Amount and Fair Value	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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):
		March 31, 2015						December 31, 2014
		Carrying			Fair Value			Carrying			Fair Value
		Amount						Amount
	Investment in direct financing lease	$	4,936		$	5,398		$	5,473		$	6,048
	Note receivable from APM	$	3,511		$	6,244		$	3,677		$	6,539
	Debt	$	(1,240,000	)	$	(1,248,375	)	$	(1,200,000	)	$	(1,179,625	)

REAL_ESTATE_TRANSACTIONS_Table

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Prairie Correctional Facility		1,600		2010	$	18,459	$	18,748
	Huerfano County Correctional Center		752		2010		18,844		19,033
	Diamondback Correctional Facility		2,160		2010		44,113		44,480
	Otter Creek Correctional Center		656		2012		23,881		24,089
	Marion Adjustment Center		826		2013		12,868		12,978
			5,994			$	118,165	$	119,328

DEBT_Tables

DEBT (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Schedule Of Debt Outstanding	Debt outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consists of the following (in thousands):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Revolving Credit Facility, principal due at maturity in December 2017; interest payable periodically at variable interest rates. The weighted average rate at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was 1.9%.	$	565,000	$	525,000
	4.625% Senior Notes, principal due at maturity in May 2023; interest payable semi-annually in May and November at 4.625%.		350,000		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		325,000
		$	1,240,000	$	1,200,000

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_Tables

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Declared Common Stock Dividends	During 2014 and the first quarter of 2015, CCA’s Board of Directors declared the following quarterly dividends on its common stock:
	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payable Date	Per Share
	February 20, 2014	2-Apr-14	15-Apr-14	$	0.51
	May 15, 2014	2-Jul-14	15-Jul-14	$	0.51
	August 14, 2014	October 2, 2014	October 15, 2014	$	0.51
	December 11, 2014	2-Jan-15	January 15, 2015	$	0.51
	February 20, 2015	2-Apr-15	15-Apr-15	$	0.54

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Tables

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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
		Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	NUMERATOR
	Basic:
	Net income	$	57,277	$	51,738
	Diluted:
	Net income	$	57,277	$	51,738
	DENOMINATOR
	Basic:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		116,634		115,773
	Diluted:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		116,634		115,773
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options		869		963
	Restricted stock-based compensation		265		224
	Weighted average shares and assumed conversions		117,768		116,960
	BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	0.49	$	0.45
	DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	0.49	$	0.44

SEGMENT_REPORTING_Tables

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Schedule of Revenue and Net Operating Income of Owned and Managed and the Managed-Only Facilities and Reconciliation to CCA's Operating Income	The revenue and net operating income for the owned and managed and the managed-only facilities and a reconciliation to CCA’s operating income is as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
		For the Three Months
		Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Revenue:
	Owned and managed	$	363,964		$	334,912
	Managed-only		52,944			64,003
	Total management revenue		416,908			398,915
	Operating expenses:
	Owned and managed		244,300			227,648
	Managed-only		48,009			58,445
	Total operating expenses		292,309			286,093
	Facility net operating income
	Owned and managed		119,664			107,264
	Managed-only		4,935			5,558
	Total facility net operating income		124,599			112,822
	Other revenue (expense):
	Rental and other revenue		9,092			5,307
	Other operating expense		(8,353	)		(1,287	)
	General and administrative expense		(26,872	)		(25,392	)
	Depreciation and amortization		(28,685	)		(28,384	)
	Asset impairments		(955	)		—
	Operating income	$	68,826		$	63,066
Summary of Capital Expenditures	The following table summarizes capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
		For the Three Months
		Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Capital expenditures:
	Owned and managed	$	82,834		$	25,620
	Managed-only		731			632
	Corporate and other		7,614			1,032
	Total capital expenditures	$	91,179		$	27,284
Schedule of Total Assets	The total assets are as follows (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Assets:
	Owned and managed	$	2,784,343		$	2,745,905
	Managed-only		63,513			68,146
	Corporate and other		311,915			313,140
	Total assets	$	3,159,771		$	3,127,191

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATING_FINANC1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	As of March 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	20,456		$	53,566		$	—		$	74,022
	Restricted cash		662			1,592			—			2,254
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance		172,348			149,751			(95,824	)		226,275
	Current deferred tax assets		152			11,262			—			11,414
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		3,888			33,514			(8,189	)		29,213
	Total current assets		197,506			249,685			(104,013	)		343,178
	Property and equipment, net		2,485,077			235,005			—			2,720,082
	Restricted cash		105			—			—			105
	Investment in direct financing lease		2,617			—			—			2,617
	Goodwill		—			15,155			—			15,155
	Non-current deferred tax assets		—			3,892			(413	)		3,479
	Other assets		239,176			45,874			(209,895	)		75,155
	Total assets	$	2,924,481		$	549,611		$	(314,321	)	$	3,159,771
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	209,626		$	210,502		$	(103,979	)	$	316,149
	Income taxes payable		1			658			—			659
	Total current liabilities		209,627			211,160			(103,979	)		316,808
	Long-term debt		1,240,000			115,000			(115,000	)		1,240,000
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities		413			—			(413	)		—
	Deferred revenue		—			91,607			—			91,607
	Other liabilities		825			36,915			—			37,740
	Total liabilities		1,450,865			454,682			(219,392	)		1,686,155
	Total stockholders’ equity		1,473,616			94,929			(94,929	)		1,473,616
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,924,481		$	549,611		$	(314,321	)	$	3,159,771
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	As of December 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	12,337		$	62,056		$	—		$	74,393
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance		167,626			178,911			(97,949	)		248,588
	Current deferred tax assets		—			13,241			(12	)		13,229
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		17,060			34,705			(21,990	)		29,775
	Total current assets		197,023			288,913			(119,951	)		365,985
	Property and equipment, net		2,459,053			199,575			—			2,658,628
	Restricted cash		1,267			1,591			—			2,858
	Investment in direct financing lease		3,223			—			—			3,223
	Goodwill		—			16,110			—			16,110
	Non-current deferred tax assets		—			2,778			(477	)		2,301
	Other assets		241,690			47,046			(210,650	)		78,086
	Total assets	$	2,902,256		$	556,013		$	(331,078	)	$	3,127,191
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	218,403		$	205,213		$	(106,050	)	$	317,566
	Income taxes payable		195			1,173			—			1,368
	Current deferred tax liabilities		13			—			(13	)		—
	Note payable to an affiliate		—			13,854			(13,854	)		—
	Current liabilities of discontinued operations		—			54			—			54
	Total current liabilities		218,611			220,294			(119,917	)		318,988
	Long-term debt		1,200,000			115,000			(115,000	)		1,200,000
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities		477			—			(477	)		—
	Deferred revenue		—			87,227			—			87,227
	Other liabilities		1,668			37,808			—			39,476
	Total liabilities		1,420,756			460,329			(235,394	)		1,645,691
	Total stockholders’ equity		1,481,500			95,684			(95,684	)		1,481,500
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,902,256		$	556,013		$	(331,078	)	$	3,127,191
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
	REVENUES	$	303,040		$	335,223		$	(212,263	)	$	426,000
	EXPENSES:
	Operating		221,677			291,248			(212,263	)		300,662
	General and administrative		8,800			18,072			—			26,872
	Depreciation and amortization		20,069			8,616			—			28,685
	Asset impairments		—			955			—			955
			250,546			318,891			(212,263	)		357,174
	OPERATING INCOME		52,494			16,332			—			68,826
	OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:
	Interest expense, net		8,427			1,763			—			10,190
	Other (income) expense		171			(121	)		(76	)		(26	)
			8,598			1,642			(76	)		10,164
	INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		43,896			14,690			76			58,662
	Income tax expense		(176	)		(1,209	)		—			(1,385	)
	INCOME BEFORE EQUITY IN SUBSIDIARIES		43,720			13,481			76			57,277
	Income from equity in subsidiaries		13,557			—			(13,557	)		—
	NET INCOME	$	57,277		$	13,481		$	(13,481	)	$	57,277
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			and Other			Amounts
	REVENUES	$	306,248		$	311,247		$	(213,273	)	$	404,222
	EXPENSES:
	Operating		219,705			280,948			(213,273	)		287,380
	General and administrative		8,676			16,716			—			25,392
	Depreciation and amortization		19,769			8,615			—			28,384
			248,150			306,279			(213,273	)		341,156
	OPERATING INCOME		58,098			4,968			—			63,066
	OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:
	Interest expense, net		8,602			1,746			—			10,348
	Other (income) expense		(38	)		(79	)		(270	)		(387	)
			8,564			1,667			(270	)		9,961
	INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		49,534			3,301			270			53,105
	Income tax expense		(220	)		(1,147	)		—			(1,367	)
	INCOME BEFORE EQUITY IN SUBSIDIARIES		49,314			2,154			270			51,738
	Income from equity in subsidiaries		2,424			—			(2,424	)		—
	NET INCOME	$	51,738		$	2,154		$	(2,154	)	$	51,738
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			And Other			Amounts
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	65,048		$	52,138		$	—		$	117,186
	Net cash used in investing activities		(32,119	)		(32,463	)		(26,999	)		(91,581	)
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(24,810	)		(28,165	)		26,999			(25,976	)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		8,119			(8,490	)		—			(371	)
	CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period		12,337			62,056			—			74,393
	CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	$	20,456		$	53,566		$	—		$	74,022
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Combined			Consolidating			Total
					Subsidiary			Adjustments			Consolidated
					Guarantors			And Other			Amounts
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	86,628		$	(20,046	)	$	—		$	66,582
	Net cash used in investing activities		(24,008	)		(2,718	)		—			(26,726	)
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(66,062	)		968			—			(65,094	)
	Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(3,442	)		(21,796	)		—			(25,238	)
	CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period		31,647			46,272			—			77,919
	CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	$	28,205		$	24,476		$	—		$	52,681

Organization_and_Operations_Ad

Organization and Operations - Additional Information (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2015
	State
	Bed
	Facility
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]
Number of facilities owned by government partners, managed	12
Number of facilities owned or controlled by company	50
Number of beds at the facility	81,500
Number of states in which company facilities are located	19

Recovered_Sheet1

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (Other long-term assets, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other long-term assets
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs	$13.60	$14.30

Schedule_of_Financial_Instrume

Schedule of Financial Instruments Having Difference Between Carrying Amount and Fair Value (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Investment in direct financing lease, Carrying Amount	$4,936	$5,473
Note receivable from APM, Carrying Amount	3,511	3,677
Debt, Carrying Amount	-1,240,000	-1,200,000
Investment in direct financing lease, Fair Value	5,398	6,048
Note receivable from APM, Fair Value	6,244	6,539
Debt, Fair Value	($1,248,375)	($1,179,625)

Goodwill_Additional_Informatio

Goodwill - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
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, and the acquisitions of two service companies during 2000.
Goodwill	$15,155		$16,110
Asset impairment charges	955
Operating income (loss)	68,826	63,066
Winn Correctional Center
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges	1,000
Operating income (loss)	($2,500)	$200

Idled_Facilities_and_Respectiv

Idled Facilities and Respective Carrying Values Excluding Equipment and Other Assets (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity	81,500
Prairie Correctional Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity	1,600
Date Idled	2010
Net Carrying Value	$18,459	$18,748
Huerfano County Correctional Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity	752
Date Idled	2010
Net Carrying Value	18,844	19,033
Diamondback Correctional Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity	2,160
Date Idled	2010
Net Carrying Value	44,113	44,480
Otter Creek Correctional Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity	656
Date Idled	2012
Net Carrying Value	23,881	24,089
Marion Adjustment Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity	826
Date Idled	2013
Net Carrying Value	12,868	12,978
Total Idle Facilities
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity	5,994
Net Carrying Value	$118,165	$119,328

Real_Estate_Transactions_Addit

Real Estate Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
	Bed		Installment	Facility	Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Operating Expense	$300,662,000	$287,380,000
Number of beds at the facility	81,500
Payment amount	91,607,000		87,227,000
San Diego Correctional Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility	1,154
Lease expiration date	31-Dec-15
Otay Mesa Detention Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility	1,492
Amount invested to acquire property	136,100,000
Trousdale Turner Correctional Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility					2,552
Amount invested to acquire property	87,400,000
Percentage of guaranteed occupancy under management contract	90.00%
ICE
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Payment amount			70,000,000
Number of distinct multiple element arrangements	5
Deferred revenue recognized	36,000,000
Idle Facilities
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Operating Expense	1,800,000	1,900,000
Installment Payment | ICE
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Payment amount			$35,000,000
Number of installments			2
Installments due			31-Dec-14
Maximum | South Texas Family Residential Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility				2,400
Management contract, initial term				4 years
Minimum | South Texas Family Residential Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Agreement notice period for termination				90 days

Schedule_of_Debt_Outstanding_D

Schedule of Debt Outstanding (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$1,240,000	$1,200,000
Senior Notes 4.625% Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	350,000	350,000
Senior Notes 4.125% Due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	325,000	325,000
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$565,000	$525,000

Schedule_of_Debt_Outstanding_P

Schedule of Debt Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Senior Notes 4.625% Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated percentage of Senior Notes	4.63%
Note maturity date	1-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	1-Apr-20
Senior Notes interest payable dates	interest payable semi-annually in April and October at 4.125%.
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility maturity date	31-Dec-17
Weighted average rate	1.90%	1.90%
Senior Notes interest payable dates	interest payable periodically at variable interest rates.

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility letters of credit outstanding	$16.30
Amended Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity	900	900		785
Revolving Credit Facility maturity extension period		1 year
Revolving Credit Facility maturity date		2017-12
Line of credit interest on outstanding borrowings	At CCAbs 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 (bLIBORb) plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 2.0% based on CCAbs leverage ratio.
Base rate plus a margin	0.75%
LIBOR plus a margin	1.75%
Line of credit facility, aggregate principal amount of additional borrowing	100
Sublimit swing line loans	30
Percentage of commitment fee to unfunded balance	0.35%
Borrowings under credit facility	565
Line of credit facility	318.7
Sublimit for issuance of standby letters of credit	50
Percentage of capital stock of foreign subsidiary secured by pledge under Revolving Credit Facilities	65.00%
Amended Revolving Credit Facility | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Base rate plus a margin	0.25%
LIBOR plus a margin	1.25%
Amended Revolving Credit Facility | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Base rate plus a margin	1.00%
LIBOR plus a margin	2.00%
Senior Notes Due 2020 | Issuance Of Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount			325
Debt instrument due date			1-Apr-20
Debt instrument interest rate			4.13%
Senior Notes Due 2023 | Issuance Of Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount			$350
Debt instrument due date			1-May-23
Debt instrument interest rate			4.63%
Senior Notes 4.125% Due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument due date	1-Apr-20
Debt instrument interest rate	4.13%
Senior Notes 4.125% Due 2020 | Issuance Of Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument redemption percentage of par			100.00%
Senior Notes 4.625% Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument due date	1-May-23
Debt instrument interest rate	4.63%
Senior Notes 4.625% Due 2023 | Issuance Of Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument redemption percentage of par			100.00%

Declared_Common_Stock_Dividend

Declared Common Stock Dividends (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Dividend Payment 1st
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date	20-Feb-14
Record Date	2-Apr-14
Payable Date	15-Apr-14
Per Share	$0.51
Dividend Payment 2nd
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date	15-May-14
Record Date	2-Jul-14
Payable Date	15-Jul-14
Per Share	$0.51
Dividend Payment 3rd
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date	14-Aug-14
Record Date	2-Oct-14
Payable Date	15-Oct-14
Per Share	$0.51
Dividend Payment 4th
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date	11-Dec-14
Record Date	2-Jan-15
Payable Date	15-Jan-15
Per Share	$0.51
Dividend Payment 5th
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date	20-Feb-15
Record Date	2-Apr-15
Payable Date	15-Apr-15
Per Share	$0.54

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted stock based compensation
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Restricted common stock and common stock units and stock options issued by CCA to certain of its employees	421,000		548,000
Fair value of restricted common stock and common stock units and stock options issued by CCA to certain of its employees	$16.90		$17.80
Allocated share-based compensation expense	3.4	2.7
Restricted common stock and common stock units remained outstanding and subject to vesting	1,000,000
Restricted stock based compensation | Officers And Executive Officers
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Vesting period	3 years
Performance criteria, cumulative period	3 years
Percent of awards eligible to vest	33.33%
Restricted stock based compensation | Other Employees
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Vesting period, continuous service requirement	3 years
Restricted stock based compensation | General and Administrative Expense
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Restricted common stock and common stock units and stock options issued by CCA to certain of its employees	370,000		478,000
Allocated share-based compensation expense	3	2.4
Restricted stock based compensation | Operating Expense
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Restricted common stock and common stock units and stock options issued by CCA to certain of its employees	51,000		70,000
Allocated share-based compensation expense	0.4	0.3
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Common stock options outstanding	1,700,000
Weighted average exercise price of common stock outstanding	$19.98
Stock options | General and Administrative Expense
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Expense net of estimated forfeitures, relating to common stock options	$0.40	$0.60

Schedule_of_Calculation_of_Num

Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income	$57,277	$51,738
Weighted average shares and assumed conversions	117,768	116,960
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	$0.49	$0.45
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$0.49	$0.44
Basic Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income	57,277	51,738
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic	116,634	115,773
Diluted Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income	$57,277	$51,738
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted	116,634	115,773
Stock options
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities	869	963
Restricted stock based compensation
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities	265	224

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Stock options excluded from computation of earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive	0	15,900

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 1997
	LegalMatter	Facility
	Bed
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
Number of beds at the facility	81,500
Hardeman County Correctional Facilities Corporation
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Issuance of revenue bonds		$72.70
Number of beds at the facility		2,016
Outstanding principal balance of revenue bonds	18.6
Outstanding principal balance of the bonds exceeded the purchase price option	8.4

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Minimum Distribution Percentage of Taxable Income to Qualify for Real Estate Investment Trust	90.00%
Minimum distribution Percentage of Taxable Income to avoid Federal Income Taxes	100.00%
Income tax (expense) benefit	($1,385,000)	($1,367,000)
Percentage of likelihood required for a tax position to be measured	50.00%
Liabilities for uncertain tax positions	$0

Segment_Reporting_Additional_I

Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	Segment
	Facility
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of facilities owned and managed	47
Number of facilities owned by government partners, managed	12
Number of reportable segments	1
Number of facilities leased to third party operators	3

Schedule_of_Revenue_and_Net_Op

Schedule of Revenue and Net Operating Income of Owned and Managed and the Managed-Only Facilities and Reconciliation to CCA's Operating Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total management revenue	$416,908	$398,915
Total operating expenses	292,309	286,093
Rental and other revenue	9,092	5,307
Other operating expense	-8,353	-1,287
General and administrative expense	-26,872	-25,392
Depreciation and amortization	-28,685	-28,384
Asset impairments	-955
OPERATING INCOME	68,826	63,066
Owned and managed
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total management revenue	363,964	334,912
Total operating expenses	244,300	227,648
OPERATING INCOME	119,664	107,264
Managed-only
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total management revenue	52,944	64,003
Total operating expenses	48,009	58,445
OPERATING INCOME	4,935	5,558
Facility
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
OPERATING INCOME	$124,599	$112,822

Summary_of_Capital_Expenditure

Summary of Capital Expenditures (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$91,179	$27,284
Owned and managed
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	82,834	25,620
Managed-only
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	731	632
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$7,614	$1,032

Schedule_of_Total_Assets_Detai

Schedule of Total Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$3,159,771	$3,127,191
Owned and managed
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	2,784,343	2,745,905
Managed-only
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	63,513	68,146
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$311,915	$313,140

Condensed_Consolidating_Balanc

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$74,022	$74,393
Restricted cash	2,254
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	226,275	248,588
Current deferred tax assets	11,414	13,229
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	29,213	29,775
Total current assets	343,178	365,985
Property and equipment, net	2,720,082	2,658,628
Restricted cash	105	2,858
Investment in direct financing lease	2,617	3,223
Goodwill	15,155	16,110
Non-current deferred tax assets	3,479	2,301
Other assets	75,155	78,086
Total assets	3,159,771	3,127,191
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	316,149	317,566
Income taxes payable	659	1,368
Current liabilities of discontinued operations		54
Total current liabilities	316,808	318,988
Long-term debt	1,240,000	1,200,000
Deferred revenue	91,607	87,227
Other liabilities	37,740	39,476
Total liabilities	1,686,155	1,645,691
Total stockholders' equity	1,473,616	1,481,500	1,499,016	1,502,507
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	3,159,771	3,127,191
Parent
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	20,456	12,337
Restricted cash	662
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	172,348	167,626
Current deferred tax assets	152
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,888	17,060
Total current assets	197,506	197,023
Property and equipment, net	2,485,077	2,459,053
Restricted cash	105	1,267
Investment in direct financing lease	2,617	3,223
Other assets	239,176	241,690
Total assets	2,924,481	2,902,256
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	209,626	218,403
Income taxes payable	1	195
Current deferred tax liabilities		13
Total current liabilities	209,627	218,611
Long-term debt	1,240,000	1,200,000
Non-current deferred tax liabilities	413	477
Other liabilities	825	1,668
Total liabilities	1,450,865	1,420,756
Total stockholders' equity	1,473,616	1,481,500
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	2,924,481	2,902,256
Combined Subsidiary Guarantors
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	53,566	62,056
Restricted cash	1,592
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	149,751	178,911
Current deferred tax assets	11,262	13,241
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	33,514	34,705
Total current assets	249,685	288,913
Property and equipment, net	235,005	199,575
Restricted cash		1,591
Goodwill	15,155	16,110
Non-current deferred tax assets	3,892	2,778
Other assets	45,874	47,046
Total assets	549,611	556,013
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	210,502	205,213
Income taxes payable	658	1,173
Note payable to an affiliate		13,854
Current liabilities of discontinued operations		54
Total current liabilities	211,160	220,294
Long-term debt	115,000	115,000
Deferred revenue	91,607	87,227
Other liabilities	36,915	37,808
Total liabilities	454,682	460,329
Total stockholders' equity	94,929	95,684
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	549,611	556,013
Consolidating Adjustments and Other
ASSETS
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	-95,824	-97,949
Current deferred tax assets		-12
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-8,189	-21,990
Total current assets	-104,013	-119,951
Non-current deferred tax assets	-413	-477
Other assets	-209,895	-210,650
Total assets	-314,321	-331,078
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-103,979	-106,050
Current deferred tax liabilities		-13
Note payable to an affiliate		-13,854
Total current liabilities	-103,979	-119,917
Long-term debt	-115,000	-115,000
Non-current deferred tax liabilities	-413	-477
Total liabilities	-219,392	-235,394
Total stockholders' equity	-94,929	-95,684
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	($314,321)	($331,078)

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
REVENUES	$426,000	$404,222
EXPENSES:
Operating	300,662	287,380
General and administrative	26,872	25,392
Depreciation and amortization	28,685	28,384
Asset impairments	955
Costs and Expenses	357,174	341,156
OPERATING INCOME	68,826	63,066
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:
Interest expense, net	10,190	10,348
Other (income) expense	-26	-387
Total non-operating expense (income)	10,164	9,961
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	58,662	53,105
Income tax expense	-1,385	-1,367
INCOME BEFORE EQUITY IN SUBSIDIARIES	57,277	51,738
NET INCOME	57,277	51,738
Parent
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
REVENUES	303,040	306,248
EXPENSES:
Operating	221,677	219,705
General and administrative	8,800	8,676
Depreciation and amortization	20,069	19,769
Costs and Expenses	250,546	248,150
OPERATING INCOME	52,494	58,098
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:
Interest expense, net	8,427	8,602
Other (income) expense	171	-38
Total non-operating expense (income)	8,598	8,564
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	43,896	49,534
Income tax expense	-176	-220
INCOME BEFORE EQUITY IN SUBSIDIARIES	43,720	49,314
Income from equity in subsidiaries	13,557	2,424
NET INCOME	57,277	51,738
Combined Subsidiary Guarantors
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
REVENUES	335,223	311,247
EXPENSES:
Operating	291,248	280,948
General and administrative	18,072	16,716
Depreciation and amortization	8,616	8,615
Asset impairments	955
Costs and Expenses	318,891	306,279
OPERATING INCOME	16,332	4,968
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:
Interest expense, net	1,763	1,746
Other (income) expense	-121	-79
Total non-operating expense (income)	1,642	1,667
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	14,690	3,301
Income tax expense	-1,209	-1,147
INCOME BEFORE EQUITY IN SUBSIDIARIES	13,481	2,154
NET INCOME	13,481	2,154
Consolidating Adjustments and Other
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
REVENUES	-212,263	-213,273
EXPENSES:
Operating	-212,263	-213,273
Costs and Expenses	-212,263	-213,273
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:
Other (income) expense	-76	-270
Total non-operating expense (income)	-76	-270
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	76	270
INCOME BEFORE EQUITY IN SUBSIDIARIES	76	270
Income from equity in subsidiaries	-13,557	-2,424
NET INCOME	($13,481)	($2,154)

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem1

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$117,186	$66,582
Net cash used in investing activities	-91,581	-26,726
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-25,976	-65,094
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-371	-25,238
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	74,393	77,919
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	74,022	52,681
Parent
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	65,048	86,628
Net cash used in investing activities	-32,119	-24,008
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-24,810	-66,062
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	8,119	-3,442
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	12,337	31,647
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	20,456	28,205
Combined Subsidiary Guarantors
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	52,138	-20,046
Net cash used in investing activities	-32,463	-2,718
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-28,165	968
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-8,490	-21,796
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	62,056	46,272
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	53,566	24,476
Consolidating Adjustments and Other
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash used in investing activities	-26,999
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	$26,999