CoreCivic (CXW) 10-Q 5 Nov 20 2020 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	CXW
Entity Registrant Name	CORECIVIC, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001070985
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		119,634,216
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	001-16109
Entity Tax Identification Number	62-1763875
Entity Address, Address Line One	5501 VIRGINIA WAY
Entity Address, City or Town	BRENTWOOD
Entity Address, State or Province	TN
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	37027
City Area Code	615
Local Phone Number	263-3000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 282,462	$ 92,120
Restricted cash	11,227	26,973
Accounts receivable, net of credit loss reserve of $6,148 and $3,217, respectively	264,745	280,785
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	35,553	35,507
Total current assets	593,987	435,385
Real estate and related assets:
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,554,233 and $1,510,117, respectively	2,703,475	2,700,107
Other real estate assets	230,067	238,637
Goodwill	48,569	50,537
Non-current deferred tax assets	11,583	16,058
Other assets	453,522	350,907
Total assets	4,041,203	3,791,631
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	278,732	337,462
Current portion of long-term debt	38,644	31,349
Total current liabilities	317,376	368,811
Long-term debt, net	2,043,692	1,928,023
Deferred revenue	13,741	12,469
Other liabilities	230,402	105,579
Total liabilities	2,605,211	2,414,882
Commitments and contingencies
Preferred stock – $0.01 par value; 50,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively	0	0
Common stock – $0.01 par value; 300,000 shares authorized; 119,634 and 119,096 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively	1,196	1,191
Additional paid-in capital	1,831,241	1,821,810
Accumulated deficit	(419,716)	(446,252)
Total stockholders' equity	1,412,721	1,376,749
Non-controlling interest – operating partnership	23,271
Total equity	1,435,992	1,376,749
Total liabilities and equity	$ 4,041,203	$ 3,791,631

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts receivable, credit loss reserve	$ 6,148	$ 3,217
Accumulated depreciation	$ 1,554,233	$ 1,510,117
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000,000	300,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	119,634,000	119,096,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	119,634,000	119,096,000

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
REVENUES	$ 468,266	$ 508,522	$ 1,432,008	$ 1,482,880
EXPENSES:
Operating	347,927	368,735	1,063,169	1,060,246
General and administrative	35,883	32,038	97,307	94,847
Depreciation and amortization	37,865	36,654	114,436	107,768
Contingent consideration for acquisition of businesses	620		620
Asset impairments	805		13,058	4,706
Costs and Expenses, Total	423,100	437,427	1,288,590	1,267,567
OPERATING INCOME	45,166	71,095	143,418	215,313
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:
Interest expense, net	20,193	20,975	63,727	63,073
Other (income) expense	(2,113)	(360)	(5,633)	(614)
Total non-operating expense (income)	18,080	20,615	58,094	62,459
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	27,086	50,480	85,324	152,854
Income tax expense	(369)	(1,486)	(3,183)	(5,942)
NET INCOME	26,717	48,994	82,141	146,912
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest			(1,181)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$ 26,717	$ 48,994	$ 80,960	$ 146,912
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	$ 0.22	$ 0.41	$ 0.68	$ 1.23
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$ 0.22	$ 0.41	$ 0.68	$ 1.23

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 82,141	$ 146,912
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	114,436	107,768
Asset impairments	13,058	4,706
Amortization of debt issuance costs and other non-cash interest	4,136	2,566
Deferred income taxes	4,475	(4,004)
Non-cash revenue and other income	(7,673)	(8,594)
Non-cash equity compensation	13,011	12,715
Other expenses and non-cash items	5,706	9,135
Changes in assets and liabilities, net:
Accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	15,179	(8,014)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	36,519	41,110
Income taxes payable	525	(228)
Net cash provided by operating activities	281,513	304,072
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Expenditures for facility development and expansions	(26,566)	(122,078)
Expenditures for other capital improvements	(33,545)	(35,635)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(8,849)	(39,290)
Proceeds from sale of assets	13,321	4,291
Increase in other assets	(7,751)	(5,342)
Net cash used in investing activities	(63,390)	(198,054)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of debt and borrowings from credit facility	374,000	428,564
Scheduled principal repayments	(23,669)	(9,937)
Principal repayments of credit facility	(283,000)	(358,000)
Payment of debt issuance and other refinancing and related costs	(903)	(115)
Payment of lease obligations for financing leases	(407)	(403)
Contingent consideration for acquisition of businesses		(7,398)
Dividends paid	(105,973)	(157,133)
Purchase and retirement of common stock	(3,575)	(3,530)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		875
Net cash used in financing activities	(43,527)	(107,077)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH	174,596	(1,059)
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period	119,093	74,137
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period	293,689	73,078
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Debt assumed on acquisition of property portfolio	52,217
Establishment of right of use assets and lease liabilities	116,092	104,720
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest (net of amounts capitalized of $0.5 million and $4.3 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively)	56,430	47,937
Income taxes paid	$ 1,252	$ 12,253

Consolidated Statements of Ca_2

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Interest, capitalized interest	$ 0.5	$ 4.3

Consolidated Statement of Stock

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Cumulative Effect Period of Adoption Adjustment	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated DeficitCumulative Effect Period of Adoption Adjustment	Total Stockholders' Equity	Total Stockholders' EquityCumulative Effect Period of Adoption Adjustment	Non-controlling Interest-Operating Partnership
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 1,415,059		$ 1,187	$ 1,807,202	$ (393,330)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018			118,674
Net income	49,340				49,340
Retirement of common stock	(3,070)		$ (1)	(3,069)
Retirement of common stock (in shares)			(143)
Dividends declared on common stock	(52,994)				(52,994)
Restricted stock compensation, net of forfeitures	3,812			3,812
Restricted stock grants			$ 5	(5)
Restricted stock grants (in shares)			521
Stock options exercised	207			207
Stock options exercised (in shares)			16
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	1,382,414	$ (29,940)	$ 1,191	1,808,147	(426,924)	$ (29,940)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019			119,068
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	1,415,059		$ 1,187	1,807,202	(393,330)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018			118,674
Net income	146,912
Balance at Sep. 30, 2019	1,383,201		$ 1,191	1,817,258	(435,248)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019			119,096
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	1,382,414	(29,940)	$ 1,191	1,808,147	(426,924)	(29,940)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019			119,068
Net income	48,578				48,578
Retirement of common stock	(460)			(460)
Retirement of common stock (in shares)			(21)
Dividends declared on common stock	(52,865)				(52,865)
Restricted stock compensation, net of forfeitures	4,256			4,256
Restricted stock grants (in shares)			3
Stock options exercised	668			668
Stock options exercised (in shares)			46
Balance at Jun. 30, 2019	1,382,591		$ 1,191	1,812,611	(431,211)
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2019			119,096
Net income	48,994				48,994
Dividends declared on common stock	(53,031)				(53,031)
Restricted stock compensation, net of forfeitures	4,647			4,647
Balance at Sep. 30, 2019	1,383,201		$ 1,191	1,817,258	(435,248)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019			119,096
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	1,376,749		$ 1,191	1,821,810	(446,252)		$ 1,376,749
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019			119,096
Net income	33,238				32,057		32,057		$ 1,181
Retirement of common stock	(3,560)		$ (2)	(3,558)			(3,560)
Retirement of common stock (in shares)			(207)
Dividends declared on common stock	(53,415)				(53,415)		(53,415)
Restricted stock compensation, net of forfeitures	4,610			4,610			4,610
Restricted stock grants			$ 7	(7)
Restricted stock grants (in shares)			740
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	1,378,676	(1,036)	$ 1,196	1,822,855	(468,646)	(1,036)	1,355,405	$ (1,036)	23,271
Contributions to operating partnership	23,271								23,271
Distributions to non-controlling interest	(1,181)								(1,181)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020			119,629
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	1,376,749		$ 1,191	1,821,810	(446,252)		1,376,749
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019			119,096
Net income	82,141
Balance at Sep. 30, 2020	1,435,992		$ 1,196	1,831,241	(419,716)		1,412,721		23,271
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020			119,634
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	1,378,676	$ (1,036)	$ 1,196	1,822,855	(468,646)	$ (1,036)	1,355,405	$ (1,036)	23,271
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020			119,629
Net income	22,186				22,186		22,186
Restricted stock compensation, net of forfeitures	4,319			4,319			4,319
Restricted stock grants (in shares)			2
Balance at Jun. 30, 2020	1,405,181		$ 1,196	1,827,174	(446,460)		1,381,910		23,271
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2020			119,631
Net income	26,717				26,717		26,717
Retirement of common stock	(15)			(15)			(15)
Retirement of common stock (in shares)			(2)
Reductions in dividends on RSUs	27				27		27
Restricted stock compensation, net of forfeitures	4,082			4,082			4,082
Restricted stock grants (in shares)			5
Balance at Sep. 30, 2020	$ 1,435,992		$ 1,196	$ 1,831,241	$ (419,716)		$ 1,412,721		$ 23,271
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020			119,634

Consolidated Statement of Sto_2

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019
Dividends declared on common stock, per share	$ 0.44	$ 0.44	$ 0.44	$ 0.44

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS	1. ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS CoreCivic, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the "Company" or "CoreCivic") is the nation's largest owner of partnership correctional, detention, and residential reentry facilities and one of the largest prison operators in the United States. The Company also believes it is the largest private owner of real estate used by U.S. government agencies. Through three segments, CoreCivic Safety, CoreCivic Community, and CoreCivic Properties, the Company provides a broad range of solutions to government partners that serve the public good through corrections and detention management, a network of residential reentry centers to help address America's recidivism crisis, and government real estate solutions. As of September 30, 2020, through its CoreCivic Safety segment, the Company operated 49 correctional and detention facilities, 42 of which the Company owned, with a total design capacity of approximately 72,000 beds. Through its CoreCivic Community segment, the Company owned and operated 27 residential reentry centers with a total design capacity of approximately 5,000 beds. In addition, through its CoreCivic Properties segment, the Company owned 57 properties for lease to third parties and used by government agencies, totaling 3.3 million In addition to providing fundamental residential services, CoreCivic's correctional, detention, and reentry 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 reentry into society upon their release. CoreCivic also provides or makes available to offenders certain health care (including medical, dental, and mental health services), food services, and work and recreational programs. CoreCivic began operating as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") effective January 1, 2013. The Company provides 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 permits CoreCivic to engage in certain business activities in which the REIT may not engage directly, so long as these activities are conducted in entities that elect to be treated as TRSs under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and enables CoreCivic to, among other things, provide correctional services at facilities it owns and at facilities owned by its government partners. A TRS is not subject to the distribution requirements applicable to REITs so it may retain income generated by its operations for reinvestment. On June 17, 2020, the Company announced that its Board of Directors ("BOD") was evaluating corporate structure and capital allocation alternatives. Concurrently, the BOD suspended the Company's quarterly dividend while it assessed how best to use its free cash flow to build shareholder value, maintain service excellence, and offer and implement unique solutions for its government partners and the communities in which it serves. On August 5, 2020, the Company announced that the BOD concluded its analysis and unanimously approved a plan to revoke the Company's REIT election and become a taxable C Corporation, effective January 1, 2021. As a result, the Company will no longer be required to operate under REIT rules, including the requirement to distribute at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders, which will provide the Company with greater flexibility to use its free cash flow. Beginning January 1, 2021, the Company will be subject to federal and state income taxes on its taxable income at applicable tax rates, and will no longer be entitled to a tax deduction for dividends paid. The Company will continue to operate as a REIT for the remainder of the 2020 tax year, and existing REIT requirements and limitations, including those established by the Company’s organizational documents, will remain in place until January 1, 2021. The BOD also announced that the Company is discontinuing its quarterly dividend and prioritizing the allocation of the Company’s free cash flow to debt reduction .

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMA

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
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 CoreCivic included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 20, 2020 (the "2019 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 the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-13, "Financial Instruments – Credit Losses – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments," which changes how entities measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The ASU replaces the "incurred loss" approach with an "expected loss" model for instruments measured at amortized cost. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, contract assets, loans and other instruments, entities are now required to use a new forward-looking "expected loss" model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. Upon its effective date, CoreCivic adopted the ASU in the first quarter of 2020 . The Company recognized a charge of $1.0 million to accumulated deficit upon adoption of ASU 2016-13. Based principally on the fact that the largest portion of the Company's accounts receivable is with governmental agencies with high credit ratings, the adoption of ASU 2016-13 . Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the SEC did not, or are not expected to, have a material effect on the Company's results of operations or financial position. Fair Value of Financial Instruments To meet the reporting requirements of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 825, "Financial Instruments", regarding fair value of financial instruments, CoreCivic 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 September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were no material differences between the carrying amounts and the estimated fair values of CoreCivic's financial instruments, other than as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Note receivable from Agecroft Prison Management, LTD $ 2,918 $ 3,815 $ 2,989 $ 3,949 Debt $ (2,106,413 ) $ (2,056,929 ) $ (1,986,865 ) $ (1,964,366 )

GOODWILL

GOODWILL	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
GOODWILL	3. GOODWILL ASU 2017-04, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test of Goodwill Impairment", establishes accounting and reporting requirements for goodwill and other intangible assets. Goodwill was $48.6 million and $50.5 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Of this amount, goodwill was $6.0 million and $7.9 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, for the Company's CoreCivic Safety segment, and was $ 42.6 million Under the provisions of ASU 2017-04, CoreCivic performs a qualitative assessment 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, the Company determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the Company performs a quantitative impairment test. If a quantitative test is required, CoreCivic performs an assessment to identify the existence of impairment and to measure the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value by using a combination of various common valuation techniques, including market multiples and discounted cash flows under valuation methodologies that include an income approach and a market approach. The income valuation approach includes certain significant assumptions impacting projected future cash flows, such as projected revenue, projected operating costs, and the weighted average cost of capital, which are affected by expectations about future market or economic conditions. These impairment tests are required to be performed at least annually. CoreCivic performs its impairment tests during the fourth quarter, in connection with its annual budgeting process, and whenever circumstances indicate the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable. During the third quarter of 2020, the Company provided notice to the local county customers at two managed-only facilities of its intent to terminate the contracts. The Company expects to transition operations of the 1,046-bed Silverdale Detention Center in December 2020 and transitioned operations at the 1,348-bed Metro-Davidson County Detention Facility in October 2020. As a result of these expected contract terminations, during the second quarter of 2020, the Company recognized goodwill impairments of $2.0 million associated with these two managed-only facilities' reporting units. The Company has continued to monitor the impact of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") with respect to the projections and assumptions used for its annual assessment performed in the fourth quarter of 2019. As of September 30, 2020, the Company concluded that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting units exceeded their carrying values (with the exception of the impact of the contract terminations discussed above on two managed-only reporting units).

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS	4. REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS Acquisitions On January 2, 2020, CoreCivic completed the acquisition of a portfolio of 28 properties, 24 of which the counter-party contributed to a newly formed partnership of the Company's, for total consideration of $83.2 million, excluding transaction-related expenses. All of the properties are leased to the federal government through the General Services Administration ("GSA"), an independent agency of the United States government. CoreCivic financed the acquisition with $7.7 million of cash, assumed debt of $52.2 million, as further described in Note 5, and the balance with the issuance of 1.3 million shares of Class A Common Interests in Government Real Estate Solutions, LLC, an unrestricted subsidiary controlled by the Company ("GRES"), that are convertible into cash or, at the Company's option, shares of the Company's common stock following a two-year CoreCivic has determined that its joint venture investment in GRES represents a variable interest entity ("VIE") in accordance with ASC 810, "Consolidation". CoreCivic has 100% voting control in GRES. Accordingly, CoreCivic concluded that it is the primary beneficiary of GRES and consolidates the VIE. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. Financing Leasing Transactions On January 24, 2018, CoreCivic entered into a 20-year lease agreement with the Kansas Department of Corrections ("KDOC") for a 2,432-bed correctional facility to be constructed by the Company in Lansing, Kansas. The new facility replaces the Lansing Correctional Facility, Kansas' largest correctional complex for adult male inmates, originally constructed in 1863. CoreCivic is responsible for facility maintenance throughout the 20-year term of the lease, at which time ownership will revert to the state of Kansas. Construction of the facility commenced in the first quarter of 2018, and construction was completed in January 2020, at which time the lease commenced. CoreCivic accounts for the lease with the KDOC partially as a financing receivable under ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)", with the remaining portion of the lease payments attributable to maintenance services and capital expenditures as revenue streams under ASC 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers". As of September 30, 2020, the financing receivable was $149.7 million recognized in Other Assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Prior to commencement of the lease, the costs incurred to construct the facility were reflected as a construction receivable and, as of December 31, 2019, $137.7 million was recognized in Other Assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The cash payments associated with the construction of the project were reported as expenditures for facility development and expansions on the consolidated statements of cash flows. Operating Leasing Transactions In September 2020, the term of the amended inter-governmental service agreement ("IGSA") between the city of Dilley, Texas and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") to care for up to 2,400 individuals at the South Texas Family Residential Center, a facility the Company leases in Dilley, Texas, was extended from September 2021 to September 2026. ICE's termination rights, which permit ICE to terminate the agreement for convenience or non-appropriation of funds, without penalty, by providing the Company with at least a 60-day notice, were unchanged under the extension. Concurrent with the extension of the amended IGSA, the lease with the third-party lessor for the site was also extended through September 2026. Other terms of the extended lease agreement were unchanged and provide the Company with the ability to terminate the lease if ICE terminates the amended IGSA associated with the facility. As a result of the lease modification, the Company re-measured the lease liability at the effective date of the modification, and recognized a corresponding adjustment to increase the right-of-use asset amounting to $116.0 million. Idle Facilities As of September 30, 2020, CoreCivic had five idled correctional facilities in the CoreCivic Safety segment that are currently available and being actively marketed as solutions to meet the needs of potential 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 CoreCivic owns without significant cost (dollars in thousands) Net Carrying Values Design Date September 30, December 31, Facility Capacity Idled 2020 2019 Prairie Correctional Facility 1,600 2010 $ 14,277 $ 14,863 Huerfano County Correctional Center 752 2010 16,062 16,266 Diamondback Correctional Facility 2,160 2010 38,421 39,729 Marion Adjustment Center 826 2013 11,148 11,351 Kit Carson Correctional Center 1,488 2016 52,712 54,041 6,826 $ 132,620 $ 136,250 As of September 30, 2020, CoreCivic incurred approximately $2.1 million and $1.9 million in operating expenses at these idled facilities for the period they were idle during the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. CoreCivic incurred approximately $6.1 million and $5.4 million in operating expenses at these idled facilities for the period they were idle during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. On April 15, 2020, CoreCivic sold an idled facility in its Community segment, containing 92 beds, for a gross sales price of $1.6 million. In anticipation of the sale, CoreCivic reported an impairment charge of $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2020 based on the realizable value resulting from the sale. On May 26, 2020, CoreCivic sold an idled non-core facility in its Safety segment, containing 200 beds with a net book value of $0.5 million, for net proceeds of $3.3 million. The gain on the sale of $2.8 million was recognized in the second quarter of 2020 and reflected in other income on the consolidated statement of operations. On September 15, 2020, CoreCivic announced that it had entered into a new contract under an IGSA between the city of Cushing, Oklahoma and the U.S. Marshals Service to utilize the Company's 1,692-bed Cimarron Correctional Facility in the CoreCivic Safety segment. The Company had previously announced its intention to idle the Cimarron facility during the third quarter of 2020, predominately due to a lower number of inmate populations from the state of Oklahoma resulting from COVID-19, combined with the consequential impact of COVID-19 on the State's budget. The new management contract commenced on September 15, 2020, and has an initial term of three years, with unlimited 24-month extension options thereafter upon mutual agreement. As of September 30, 2020, the net book value of the Cimarron facility was $73.3 million. Also as a result of the lower resident populations from the state of Oklahoma and the impact of COVID-19, CoreCivic Community transferred the remaining resident populations at its 390-bed Tulsa Transitional Center to Oklahoma's system, idling the Tulsa facility during the third quarter of 2020. Closure of the Tulsa facility followed the closure of the 200-bed Oklahoma City Transitional Center during the second quarter of 2020, and the 289-bed Turley Residential Center in Oklahoma in 2019. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Federal Bureau of Prisons ("BOP") awarded a new contract to CoreCivic for residential reentry and home confinement services pursuant to a solicitation for capacity and services to be provided in the state of Oklahoma. As a result, CoreCivic expects to reactivate the Turley Residential Center during the first quarter of 2021, and provide the BOP additional reentry services at its owned and operated Oklahoma Reentry Opportunity Center (formerly known as the Carver Transitional Center) in Oklahoma which will supplement the existing utilization by the state of Oklahoma. CoreCivic considers the cancellation of a contract or an expiration and non-renewal of a lease agreement in its CoreCivic Properties segment as an indicator of impairment, and tested each of the idled properties for impairment when it was notified by the respective customers or tenants that they would no longer be utilizing such property. CoreCivic evaluates on a quarterly basis market developments for the potential utilization of each of these properties in order to identify events that may cause CoreCivic to reconsider its most recent assumptions, such as the agreement to sell a property at less than its carrying value. The fair value measurement for the Oklahoma residential reentry facility was estimated using unobservable Level 3 inputs, as defined in ASC 820, using market comparable data for similar properties in the local market .

DEBT

DEBT	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
DEBT	5. DEBT Debt outstanding as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, December 31, 2020 2019 Revolving Credit Facility maturing April 2023 periodically at variable interest rates. The weighted average rate at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was 1.7% and 3.3%, respectively. $ 456,000 $ 365,000 Term Loan A maturing April 2023 variable interest rates. The rate at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was 1.6% and 3.3%, respectively. Unamortized debt issuance costs amounted to $0.1 million at both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. 182,500 190,000 Term Loan B maturing December 2024 at variable interest rates. The rate at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was 5.5% and 6.3%, respectively. Unamortized debt issuance costs amounted to $4.3 million and $4.6 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. 240,625 250,000 4.625% Senior Notes maturing May 2023 costs amounted to $1.6 million and $2.1 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. 350,000 350,000 5.0% Senior Notes maturing October 2022 costs amounted to $1.0 million and $1.3 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. 250,000 250,000 4.75% Senior Notes maturing October 2027 costs amounted to $2.8 million and $3.1 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. 250,000 250,000 4.5% Capital Commerce Center Non-Recourse Mortgage Note maturing January 2033 to $0.3 million at both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. 21,258 22,209 4.43% Lansing Correctional Center Non-Recourse Mortgage Note maturing January 2040 to $3.2 million and $3.3 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. 158,570 159,522 4.5% SSA-Baltimore Non-Recourse Mortgage Note maturing February 2034 million at both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. 145,915 150,134 4.91% Government Real Estate Solutions Non-Recourse Mortgage Note maturing November 2025 51,545 — Total debt 2,106,413 1,986,865 Unamortized debt issuance costs (13,452 ) (14,993 ) Unamortized original issue discount (10,625 ) (12,500 ) Current portion of long-term debt (38,644 ) (31,349 ) Long-term debt, net $ 2,043,692 $ 1,928,023 Revolving Credit Facility. On April 17, 2018, CoreCivic entered into the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (referred to herein as the "Bank Credit Agreement") in an aggregate principal amount of up to $1.0 billion. The Bank Credit Agreement provides for a term loan of $200.0 million (the "Term Loan A") and a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $800.0 million (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). The Bank Credit Agreement has a maturity of April 2023 Based on CoreCivic's total leverage ratio, loans under the Revolving Credit Facility during 2019 and the first nine months of 2020 were at the base rate plus a margin of 0.50% 1.50% 0.35% The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by a pledge of all of the capital stock of CoreCivic's domestic restricted subsidiaries, 65% of the capital stock of CoreCivic's foreign subsidiaries, all of CoreCivic's accounts receivable, and all of CoreCivic's deposit accounts. The Revolving Credit Facility requires CoreCivic to meet certain financial covenants, including, without limitation, a maximum total leverage ratio, a maximum secured leverage ratio, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. As of September 30, 2020, CoreCivic was in compliance with all such covenants. In addition, the Revolving Credit Facility contains certain covenants that, among other things, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, payment of dividends and other customary restricted payments, permitted investments, 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 Revolving Credit Facility is subject to certain cross-default provisions with terms of CoreCivic's other unsecured indebtedness, and is subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of a change of control. As a result of opposition to immigration policies and the association of private companies with the enforcement of such policies, some banks, including several that are currently parties to the Bank Credit Agreement, have announced that they do not expect to continue providing credit or financial services to private entities that operate correctional and detention April 2023 Incremental Term Loan A. Interest rate margins under the Term Loan A are the same as the interest rate margins under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Term Loan A also has the same collateral requirements, financial and certain other covenants, and cross-default provisions as the Revolving Credit Facility. The Term Loan A, which is pre-payable without penalty, also has a maturity concurrent with the Revolving Credit Facility due April 2023 Senior Secured Term Loan B. On December 18, 2019, CoreCivic entered into a new $250.0 million Senior Secured Term Loan B ("Term Loan B" and, together with the Bank Credit Agreement, the "Credit Agreements"). The Term Loan B bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 4.50%, with a 1.00% LIBOR floor (or, at CoreCivic's option, a base rate plus 3.50%), and has a five-year December 2024 $325.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior notes originally due 2020, transaction fees and expenses, and to provide for general corporate purposes. CoreCivic capitalized approximately $5.1 million of costs associated with the issuance of the Term Loan B. As of September 30, 2020, the outstanding balance of the Term Loan B was $240.6 million. Senior Notes. Interest on the $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of CoreCivic'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. Interest on the $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of CoreCivic's 5.0% senior notes issued in September 2015 (the "5.0% Senior Notes") accrues at the stated rate and is payable in April and October of each year. The 5.0% Senior Notes are scheduled to mature on October 15, 2022. Interest on the $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of CoreCivic's 4.75% senior notes issued in October 2017 (the "4.75% Senior Notes") accrues at the stated rate and is payable in April and October of each year. The 4.75% Senior Notes are scheduled to mature on October 15, 2027. The 4.625% Senior Notes, the 5.0% Senior Notes, and the 4.75% 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 Revolving Credit Facility. CoreCivic 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 CoreCivic'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. Non-Recourse Mortgage Notes: Capital Commerce Center . On January 19, 2018, CoreCivic acquired the 261,000 square-foot Capital Commerce Center, located in Tallahassee, Florida, for a purchase price of $44.7 million. The acquisition was partially financed with a $24.5 million non-recourse mortgage note (the "Capital Commerce Note"), which is fully-secured by the Capital Commerce Center property, with an interest rate of 4.5%, maturing in January 2033. Principal and interest on the Capital Commerce Note are payable in equal monthly payments over the 15-year term of the note. The Capital Commerce Note is pre-payable at any time with a prepayment charge, if any, equal to an amount so as to maintain the same yield on the Capital Commerce Note as if it had been carried through to its full term using Treasury instruments having a term equal to the remaining term of the Capital Commerce Note as of the prepayment date. CoreCivic capitalized approximately $0.4 million of costs associated with the Capital Commerce Note. As of September 30, 2020, the outstanding balance of the mortgage note was $21.3 million. Lansing Correctional Facility. On April 20, 2018, CoreCivic of Kansas, LLC (the "Issuer"), a wholly-owned unrestricted subsidiary of the Company, priced $159.5 million in aggregate principal amount of non-recourse senior secured notes of the Issuer (the "Kansas Notes"), in a private placement pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The private placement closed on June 1, 2018. The Company used the proceeds of the private placement, which were drawn on quarterly funding dates beginning in the second quarter of 2018, to fund construction of the Lansing Correctional Facility, along with costs and expenses of the project. The Kansas Notes have a yield to maturity of 4.43% and are scheduled to mature in January 2040, 20 years following completion of the project, which occurred in January 2020. Principal and interest on the Kansas Notes will be payable in quarterly payments beginning in July 2020 until maturity. CoreCivic may redeem all or part of the Kansas Notes at any time upon written notice of not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for such prepayment, with a "make-whole" amount, together with interest on the Kansas Notes accrued to, but not including, the redemption date. CoreCivic capitalized approximately $3.4 million of costs associated with the private placement. Because the Issuer has been designated as an unrestricted subsidiary of the Company under terms of the Company's Credit Agreements, the issuance and service of the Kansas Notes, and the revenues and expenses associated with the facility lease, do not impact the financial covenants associated with the Company's Credit Agreements. As of September 30, 2020, the outstanding balance of the Kansas Notes was $158.6 million. SSA-Baltimore. On August 23, 2018, CoreCivic acquired the 541,000 square-foot SSA-Baltimore office building for a purchase price of $242.0 million. In connection with the acquisition, a wholly-owned unrestricted subsidiary of the Company assumed $157.3 million of in-place financing that was used to fund the initial construction of the property in 2014. The assumed non-recourse mortgage note (the "SSA-Baltimore Note") carries a fixed interest rate of 4.5% and requires monthly principal and interest payments, with a balloon payment of $40.0 million due at maturity in February 2034 Government Real Estate Solutions. As previously described herein, on January 2, 2020, CoreCivic acquired a portfolio of 28 properties, 24 of which the counter-party contributed to a newly formed partnership of the Company's, for total consideration of $83.2 million. In connection with the acquisition, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GRES assumed $52.2 million of in-place financing. The assumed non-recourse mortgage note (the "GRES Note") carries a fixed interest rate of 4.91% and requires monthly principal and interest payments, with a balloon payment of $46.2 million due at maturity in November 2025 CoreCivic may also seek to issue additional debt or equity securities from time to time when the Company determines that market conditions and the opportunity to utilize the proceeds from the issuance of such securities are favorable. Debt Maturities. Scheduled principal payments as of September 30, 2020 for the remainder of 2020 , the next five years, and thereafter were as follows (in thousands): 2020 (remainder) $ 8,585 2021 40,047 2022 293,990 2023 996,170 2024 196,044 2025 61,730 Thereafter 509,847 Total debt $ 2,106,413

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	6. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Dividends on Common Stock During 2019 and the first quarter of 2020, CoreCivic's BOD declared the following quarterly dividends on its common stock: Declaration Date Record Date Payable Date Per Share February 21, 2019 April 1, 2019 April 15, 2019 $ 0.44 May 16, 2019 July 1, 2019 July 16, 2019 $ 0.44 August 15, 2019 October 1, 2019 October 15, 2019 $ 0.44 December 12, 2019 January 6, 2020 January 15, 2020 $ 0.44 February 20, 2020 April 1, 2020 April 15, 2020 $ 0.44 Future dividends will depend on CoreCivic's distribution requirements as a REIT, future cash flows and earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, limitations under debt covenants, opportunities for alternative uses of capital, and on such other factors as the BOD of CoreCivic may consider relevant. As further discussed in Note 1, the Company announced on June 17, 2020 that the BOD suspended the Company's quarterly dividend while it evaluated corporate structure and capital allocation alternatives. On August 5, 2020, the BOD voted unanimously to approve a plan to revoke the Company’s REIT election and become a taxable C Corporation, effective January 1, 2021; the BOD also voted unanimously to discontinue the quarterly dividend and prioritize allocating the Company's free cash flow to reduce debt levels. Stock Options Since 2012, CoreCivic has elected not to issue stock options to its non-employee directors, officers, and executive officers as it had in prior years, and instead elected to issue all of its equity compensation in the form of restricted common stock units ("RSUs"), as described hereafter. All outstanding stock options were fully vested as of December 31, 2016. As of September 30, 2020, options to purchase 0.5 million shares of common stock were outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $22.13 per share. Restricted Stock Units During the first nine months of 2020, CoreCivic issued approximately 1.2 million RSUs to certain of its employees and non-employee directors, with an aggregate value of $20.9 million, including 1.1 million RSUs to employees and non-employee directors whose compensation is charged to general and administrative expense and 0.1 million RSUs to employees whose compensation is charged to operating expense. During 2019, CoreCivic issued approximately 0.9 million RSUs to certain of its employees and non-employee directors, with an aggregate value of $20.1 million, including 0.8 million RSUs to employees and non-employee directors whose compensation is charged to general and administrative expense and 0.1 million RSUs to employees whose compensation is charged to operating expense. Since 2015, CoreCivic has three-year one-third satisfaction of certain annual performance criteria established at the beginning of the fiscal years ending December 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021 for the 2019 awards, and December 31, 2020, 2021, and 2022 for the 2020 awards, and which can be increased by up to 150 % or decreased to 0 % based on performance relative to the annual performance criteria, and further increased or decreased using a modifier of 80% to 120 % based on CoreCivic's total shareholder return relative to a peer group. Because the performance criteria for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2021 and 2022 have not yet been established, the values of the third RSU increment of the 2019 awards and of the second and third increments of the 2020 awards for financial reporting purposes will not be determined until such criteria are established. Time-based RSUs issued to other employees, unless earlier vested under the terms of the agreements, generally vest equally on the first, second, and third anniversary of the award. RSUs issued to non-employee directors vest one year from the date of award. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, CoreCivic expensed $4.1 million, net of forfeitures, relating to RSUs ($0.4 million of which was recorded in operating expenses and $3.7 million of which was recorded in general and administrative expenses). During the three months ended September 30, 2019, CoreCivic expensed $4.6 million, net of forfeitures, relating to RSUs ($0.4 million of which was recorded in operating expenses and $4.2 million of which was recorded in general and administrative expenses). During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, CoreCivic expensed $13.0 million, net of forfeitures, relating to RSUs ($1.3 million of which was recorded in operating expenses and $11.7 million of which was recorded in general and administrative expenses). During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, CoreCivic expensed $12.7 million, net of forfeitures, relating to RSUs ($1.4 million of which was recorded in operating expenses and $11.3 million of which was recorded in general and administrative expenses). As of September 30, 2020, approximately 2.0 million RSUs remained outstanding and subject to vesting.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
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 CoreCivic, diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares after considering the additional dilution related to restricted stock-based awards, stock options, and Operating Partnership Units. 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 September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 NUMERATOR Basic: Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 26,717 $ 48,994 $ 80,960 $ 146,912 Diluted: Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 26,717 $ 48,994 $ 80,960 $ 146,912 Net income attributable to non-controlling interest — — 1,181 — Diluted net income attributable to common stockholders $ 26,717 $ 48,994 $ 82,141 $ 146,912 DENOMINATOR Basic: Weighted average common shares outstanding 119,632 119,096 119,533 119,028 Diluted: Weighted average common shares outstanding 119,632 119,096 119,533 119,028 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options — 3 — 30 Restricted stock-based awards 6 90 25 104 Non-controlling interest – Operating Partnership Units 1,342 — 1,342 — Weighted average shares and assumed conversions 120,980 119,189 120,900 119,162 BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 0.22 $ 0.41 $ 0.68 $ 1.23 DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 0.22 $ 0.41 $ 0.68 $ 1.23 Approximately 0.5 million stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for each of the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, because they were anti-dilutive. Approximately 0.5 million and 0.4 million stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, because they were anti-dilutive.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Legal Proceedings The nature of CoreCivic'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 CoreCivic's facilities, personnel or offenders, including damages arising from an offender's escape or from a disturbance at a facility. CoreCivic maintains insurance to cover many of these claims, which may mitigate the risk that any single claim would have a material effect on CoreCivic'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, CoreCivic is subject to substantial self-insurance risk. 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 CoreCivic's self-insured retention amounts, management believes a loss in excess of amounts already recognized would not be material to CoreCivic's financial statements. Adversarial proceedings and litigation are, however, subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable decisions and rulings resulting from legal proceedings could occur which could have a material adverse impact on CoreCivic'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 CoreCivic's assumptions, new developments, or by the effectiveness of CoreCivic's litigation and settlement strategies. CoreCivic was named as a defendant in the lawsuits detailed below. Due to the stage of these proceedings, the Company cannot reasonably predict the outcome, nor can it estimate the amount of loss or range of lo ss, if any, that may result. As a result, the Company has not recorded an accrual relating to these matters at this time, as losses are not considered probable or reasonably estimable at this stage of these lawsuits. CoreCivic records a liability in the consolidated financial statements for loss contingencies when a loss is known or considered probable , and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a known or probable loss is a range, and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other, the minimum amount of the range is accrued. If a loss is reasonably possible but not known or probable, and can be reasonably estimated, the estimated loss or range of loss is disclosed. When determining the estimated loss or range of loss, significant judgment is required to estimate the amount and timing of a loss to be recorded. Any receivable for insurance recoveries is recorded separately from the corresponding litigation reserve, and only if recovery is determined to be probable and the amount of payment can be determined . CoreCivic does not accrue for anticipated legal fees and costs but expenses those items as incurred . ICE Detainee Labor and Related Matters. On May 31, 2017, two former ICE detainees, who were detained at the Company's Otay Mesa Detention Center (“OMDC”) in San Diego, California, filed a class action against the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. The complaint alleged that the Company forces detainees to perform labor under threat of punishment in violation of state and federal anti-trafficking laws and that OMDC’s Voluntary Work Program (“VWP”) violates state labor laws including state minimum wage law. ICE requires that CoreCivic offer and operate the VWP in conformance with ICE standards and ICE prescribes the minimum rate of pay for VWP participants. The Plaintiffs seek compensatory damages, exemplary damages, restitution, penalties, and interest as well as declaratory and injunctive relief on behalf of former and current detainees. On April 1, 2020, the district court certified a nationwide anti-trafficking claims class of former and current detainees at all CoreCivic ICE detention facilities. It also certified a state law class of former and current detainees at the Company’s ICE detention facilities in California. The court did not certify any claims for injunctive or declaratory relief. Since this case was initially filed, three similar lawsuits have been filed in other courts in California, Texas and Georgia. The Company disputes these allegations and intends to take all necessary steps to vigorously defend itself against all claims. Shareholder Litigation. In a memorandum to the BOP dated August 18, 2016, the Department of Justice ("DOJ") directed that, as each contract with privately operated prisons reaches the end of its term, the BOP should either decline to renew that contract or substantially reduce its scope in a manner consistent with law and the overall decline of the BOP's inmate population. In addition to the decline in the BOP's inmate population, the DOJ memorandum cites purported operational, programming, and cost efficiency factors as reasons for the DOJ directive. On February 21, 2017, the newly appointed U.S. Attorney General issued a memorandum rescinding the DOJ's prior directive stating the memorandum changed long-standing policy and practice and impaired the BOP's ability to meet the future needs of the federal correctional system. Following the release of the August 18, 2016 DOJ memorandum, a purported securities class action lawsuit was filed on August 23, 2016 against the Company and certain of its current and former officers in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee (the "District Court"), captioned Grae v. Corrections Corporation of America et al. On December 18, 2017, the District Court denied the Company's motion to dismiss. On March 26, 2019, the District Court certified the class proposed by the plaintiff. The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit denied the Company's appeal of the class certification order on August 23, 2019. The case is currently in the discovery phase of litigation. A trial before United States District Judge Aleta Trauger is scheduled for May 2021 in the Middle District of Tennessee. CoreCivic believes the lawsuit is entirely without merit and intends to vigorously defend against it.

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
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% 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. In addition, the Company must meet a number of other organizational and operational requirements, which the Company currently expects to continue to meet through the year end ing December 31, 2020. Most states where CoreCivic 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 CoreCivic 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, CoreCivic 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 CoreCivic 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 using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the statement of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. Realization of the future tax benefits related to deferred tax assets is dependent on many factors, including CoreCivic'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. As a REIT, CoreCivic 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 CoreCivic's income tax expense is currently incurred based on the earnings generated by 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. CoreCivic recorded income tax expense of $0.4 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. CoreCivic recorded income tax expense of $3.2 million and $5.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Income tax expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 included $3.1 million, recorded in the first quarter of 2020, that had been deferred during the construction period of the Lansing Correctional Facility, which was owned by a TRS of the Company's until it converted to a qualified REIT subsidiary ("QRS") upon completion of construction in the first quarter of 2020. Because ownership of this facility reverts to the state of Kansas upon expiration of the twenty-year On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). The CARES Act, among other things, includes provisions relating to refundable payroll tax credits, deferral of employer side social security payments, net operating loss carryback periods, alternative minimum tax credit refunds, modifications to the net interest deduction limitations and technical corrections to tax depreciation methods for qualified improvement property. While CoreCivic is still assessing the impact of the legislation, the Company does not currently expect there to be a material impact to its consolidated financial statements. However, the accelerated depreciation methods for qualified improvement property are expected to significantly reduce the Company's taxable income and, therefore, its distribution requirement as a REIT for 2020. Additionally, as of September 30, 2020, the Company has deferred payment of $19.6 million of employer-side social security payments, and expects to continue to defer such payments through December 31, 2020. Half of these deferrals will be due December 31, 2021, with the other half due December 31, 2022. On August 5, 2020, the Company announced that the BOD unanimously approved a plan to revoke its REIT election and become a taxable C Corporation, effective January 1, 2021. As a result, the Company will no longer be required to operate under REIT rules, including the requirement to distribute at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders, which will provide the Company with greater flexibility to use its free cash flow. Beginning January 1, 2021, the Company will be subject to federal and state income taxes on its taxable income at applicable tax rates, and will no longer be entitled to a tax deduction for dividends paid . 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. CoreCivic had no liabilities recorded for uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. CoreCivic recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions in income tax expense. CoreCivic does not currently anticipate that the total amount of unrecognized tax positions will significantly change in the next twelve months. In October 2019, the Company received notification that the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") intended to commence an audit of the federal income tax return of the Company's REIT for the year ended December 31, 2017. The IRS is in the process of such audit, which has included audit procedures related to the Company's TRSs for the same year. Audit outcomes and the timing of any settlements of asserted income tax liabilities, if any, are subject to significant uncertainty. The generally applicable statute of limitations for assessments of United States federal income taxes remains open for tax years 2016 to present.

SEGMENT REPORTING

SEGMENT REPORTING	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
SEGMENT REPORTING	10. SEGMENT REPORTING As of September 30, 2020, CoreCivic operated 49 correctional and detention facilities, 42 of which the Company owned. In addition, CoreCivic owned and operated 27 residential reentry centers and owned 57 properties for lease to third parties. Management views CoreCivic's operating results in three operating segments, CoreCivic Safety, CoreCivic Community, and CoreCivic Properties. CoreCivic Safety includes the operating results of those correctional and detention facilities placed into service that were owned, or controlled via a long-term lease, and managed by CoreCivic, as well as those correctional and detention facilities owned by a third party and managed by CoreCivic. CoreCivic Safety also includes the operating results of TransCor America, LLC, a subsidiary of the Company that provides transportation services to governmental agencies. CoreCivic Community includes the operating results of those residential reentry centers placed into service that were owned, or controlled via a long-term lease, and managed by CoreCivic. CoreCivic Community also includes the operating results of the Company's electronic monitoring and case management services. CoreCivic Properties includes the operating results of those properties leased to third parties. The operating performance of the three segments can be measured based on their net operating income. CoreCivic defines facility net operating income as a facility's revenues less operating expenses. The revenue and net operating income for each of the three segments and a reconciliation to CoreCivic's operating income is as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Revenue: Safety $ 420,032 $ 457,817 $ 1,281,914 $ 1,332,545 Community 24,067 30,848 80,670 92,120 Properties 24,134 19,828 69,296 58,083 Total segment revenue 468,233 508,493 1,431,880 1,482,748 Operating expenses: Safety 319,335 338,116 973,811 971,706 Community 21,095 24,168 67,745 70,750 Properties 7,411 6,230 21,271 17,377 Total segment operating expenses 347,841 368,514 1,062,827 1,059,833 Facility net operating income: Safety 100,697 119,701 308,103 360,839 Community 2,972 6,680 12,925 21,370 Properties 16,723 13,598 48,025 40,706 Total facility net operating income 120,392 139,979 369,053 422,915 Other revenue (expense): Other revenue 33 29 128 132 Other operating expense (86 ) (221 ) (342 ) (413 ) General and administrative (35,883 ) (32,038 ) (97,307 ) (94,847 ) Depreciation and amortization (37,865 ) (36,654 ) (114,436 ) (107,768 ) Contingent consideration for acquisition of businesses (620 ) — (620 ) — Asset impairments (805 ) — (13,058 ) (4,706 ) Operating income $ 45,166 $ 71,095 $ 143,418 $ 215,313 The following table summarizes capital expenditures including accrued amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Capital expenditures: Safety $ 11,856 $ 19,088 $ 25,261 $ 58,015 Community 515 657 1,553 3,381 Properties 3,177 20,235 102,446 80,329 Corporate and other 1,239 4,878 4,859 13,049 Total capital expenditures $ 16,787 $ 44,858 $ 134,119 $ 154,774 The total assets are as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Assets: Safety $ 2,593,986 $ 2,606,127 Community 250,022 275,882 Properties 784,397 682,249 Corporate and other 412,798 227,373 Total Assets $ 4,041,203 $ 3,791,631

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUM_2

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-13, "Financial Instruments – Credit Losses – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments," which changes how entities measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The ASU replaces the "incurred loss" approach with an "expected loss" model for instruments measured at amortized cost. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, contract assets, loans and other instruments, entities are now required to use a new forward-looking "expected loss" model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. Upon its effective date, CoreCivic adopted the ASU in the first quarter of 2020 . The Company recognized a charge of $1.0 million to accumulated deficit upon adoption of ASU 2016-13. Based principally on the fact that the largest portion of the Company's accounts receivable is with governmental agencies with high credit ratings, the adoption of ASU 2016-13 . Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the SEC did not, or are not expected to, have a material effect on the Company's results of operations or financial position.
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, CoreCivic 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 September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were no material differences between the carrying amounts and the estimated fair values of CoreCivic's financial instruments, other than as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Note receivable from Agecroft Prison Management, LTD $ 2,918 $ 3,815 $ 2,989 $ 3,949 Debt $ (2,106,413 ) $ (2,056,929 ) $ (1,986,865 ) $ (1,964,366 )

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUM_3

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Schedule of Financial Instruments Having Difference Between Carrying Amount and Fair Value	At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were no material differences between the carrying amounts and the estimated fair values of CoreCivic's financial instruments, other than as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Note receivable from Agecroft Prison Management, LTD $ 2,918 $ 3,815 $ 2,989 $ 3,949 Debt $ (2,106,413 ) $ (2,056,929 ) $ (1,986,865 ) $ (1,964,366 )

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS (Table

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
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 CoreCivic owns without significant cost (dollars in thousands) Net Carrying Values Design Date September 30, December 31, Facility Capacity Idled 2020 2019 Prairie Correctional Facility 1,600 2010 $ 14,277 $ 14,863 Huerfano County Correctional Center 752 2010 16,062 16,266 Diamondback Correctional Facility 2,160 2010 38,421 39,729 Marion Adjustment Center 826 2013 11,148 11,351 Kit Carson Correctional Center 1,488 2016 52,712 54,041 6,826 $ 132,620 $ 136,250

DEBT (Tables)

DEBT (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Schedule of Debt Outstanding	Debt outstanding as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, December 31, 2020 2019 Revolving Credit Facility maturing April 2023 periodically at variable interest rates. The weighted average rate at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was 1.7% and 3.3%, respectively. $ 456,000 $ 365,000 Term Loan A maturing April 2023 variable interest rates. The rate at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was 1.6% and 3.3%, respectively. Unamortized debt issuance costs amounted to $0.1 million at both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. 182,500 190,000 Term Loan B maturing December 2024 at variable interest rates. The rate at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was 5.5% and 6.3%, respectively. Unamortized debt issuance costs amounted to $4.3 million and $4.6 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. 240,625 250,000 4.625% Senior Notes maturing May 2023 costs amounted to $1.6 million and $2.1 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. 350,000 350,000 5.0% Senior Notes maturing October 2022 costs amounted to $1.0 million and $1.3 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. 250,000 250,000 4.75% Senior Notes maturing October 2027 costs amounted to $2.8 million and $3.1 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. 250,000 250,000 4.5% Capital Commerce Center Non-Recourse Mortgage Note maturing January 2033 to $0.3 million at both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. 21,258 22,209 4.43% Lansing Correctional Center Non-Recourse Mortgage Note maturing January 2040 to $3.2 million and $3.3 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. 158,570 159,522 4.5% SSA-Baltimore Non-Recourse Mortgage Note maturing February 2034 million at both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. 145,915 150,134 4.91% Government Real Estate Solutions Non-Recourse Mortgage Note maturing November 2025 51,545 — Total debt 2,106,413 1,986,865 Unamortized debt issuance costs (13,452 ) (14,993 ) Unamortized original issue discount (10,625 ) (12,500 ) Current portion of long-term debt (38,644 ) (31,349 ) Long-term debt, net $ 2,043,692 $ 1,928,023
Schedule of Principal Payments	Scheduled principal payments as of September 30, 2020 for the remainder of 2020 , the next five years, and thereafter were as follows (in thousands): 2020 (remainder) $ 8,585 2021 40,047 2022 293,990 2023 996,170 2024 196,044 2025 61,730 Thereafter 509,847 Total debt $ 2,106,413

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Declared Common Stock Dividends	During 2019 and the first quarter of 2020, CoreCivic's BOD declared the following quarterly dividends on its common stock: Declaration Date Record Date Payable Date Per Share February 21, 2019 April 1, 2019 April 15, 2019 $ 0.44 May 16, 2019 July 1, 2019 July 16, 2019 $ 0.44 August 15, 2019 October 1, 2019 October 15, 2019 $ 0.44 December 12, 2019 January 6, 2020 January 15, 2020 $ 0.44 February 20, 2020 April 1, 2020 April 15, 2020 $ 0.44

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
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 September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 NUMERATOR Basic: Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 26,717 $ 48,994 $ 80,960 $ 146,912 Diluted: Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 26,717 $ 48,994 $ 80,960 $ 146,912 Net income attributable to non-controlling interest — — 1,181 — Diluted net income attributable to common stockholders $ 26,717 $ 48,994 $ 82,141 $ 146,912 DENOMINATOR Basic: Weighted average common shares outstanding 119,632 119,096 119,533 119,028 Diluted: Weighted average common shares outstanding 119,632 119,096 119,533 119,028 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options — 3 — 30 Restricted stock-based awards 6 90 25 104 Non-controlling interest – Operating Partnership Units 1,342 — 1,342 — Weighted average shares and assumed conversions 120,980 119,189 120,900 119,162 BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 0.22 $ 0.41 $ 0.68 $ 1.23 DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 0.22 $ 0.41 $ 0.68 $ 1.23

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Schedule of Revenue and Net Operating Income for Each of the Three Segments and a Reconciliation to CoreCivic's Operating Income	The revenue and net operating income for each of the three segments and a reconciliation to CoreCivic's operating income is as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Revenue: Safety $ 420,032 $ 457,817 $ 1,281,914 $ 1,332,545 Community 24,067 30,848 80,670 92,120 Properties 24,134 19,828 69,296 58,083 Total segment revenue 468,233 508,493 1,431,880 1,482,748 Operating expenses: Safety 319,335 338,116 973,811 971,706 Community 21,095 24,168 67,745 70,750 Properties 7,411 6,230 21,271 17,377 Total segment operating expenses 347,841 368,514 1,062,827 1,059,833 Facility net operating income: Safety 100,697 119,701 308,103 360,839 Community 2,972 6,680 12,925 21,370 Properties 16,723 13,598 48,025 40,706 Total facility net operating income 120,392 139,979 369,053 422,915 Other revenue (expense): Other revenue 33 29 128 132 Other operating expense (86 ) (221 ) (342 ) (413 ) General and administrative (35,883 ) (32,038 ) (97,307 ) (94,847 ) Depreciation and amortization (37,865 ) (36,654 ) (114,436 ) (107,768 ) Contingent consideration for acquisition of businesses (620 ) — (620 ) — Asset impairments (805 ) — (13,058 ) (4,706 ) Operating income $ 45,166 $ 71,095 $ 143,418 $ 215,313
Summary of Capital Expenditures Including Accrued Amounts	The following table summarizes capital expenditures including accrued amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Capital expenditures: Safety $ 11,856 $ 19,088 $ 25,261 $ 58,015 Community 515 657 1,553 3,381 Properties 3,177 20,235 102,446 80,329 Corporate and other 1,239 4,878 4,859 13,049 Total capital expenditures $ 16,787 $ 44,858 $ 134,119 $ 154,774
Schedule of Total Assets	The total assets are as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Assets: Safety $ 2,593,986 $ 2,606,127 Community 250,022 275,882 Properties 784,397 682,249 Corporate and other 412,798 227,373 Total Assets $ 4,041,203 $ 3,791,631

Organization and Operations - A

Organization and Operations - Additional Information (Detail) ft² in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020ft²PropertySegmentFacilityBed
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]
Number of Operating segments | Segment	3
Minimum distribution percentage of taxable income to qualify for real estate investment trust	90.00%
CoreCivic Safety
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]
Number of facilities operated by the company	49
Number of facilities owned by the company	42
Number of beds at the facility | Bed	72,000
CoreCivic Community
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]
Number of centers owned and operated by company	27
Number of beds at the center | Bed	5,000
CoreCivic Properties
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]
Number of properties for lease to third parties and used by government agencies | Property	57
Number of square feet | ft²	3.3

Basis of Presentation and Sum_4

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]
Accumulated deficit	$ (419,716)	$ (446,252)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 | Revision of Prior Period Accounting Standards Update Adjustment
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]
Accumulated deficit	$ 1,000

Schedule of Financial Instrumen

Schedule of Financial Instruments Having Difference Between Carrying Amount and Fair Value (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Note receivable from Agecroft Prison Management, LTD, Carrying Amount	$ 2,918	$ 2,989
Debt, Carrying Amount	(2,106,413)	(1,986,865)
Note receivable from Agecroft Prison Management, LTD, Fair Value	3,815	3,949
Debt, Fair Value	$ (2,056,929)	$ (1,964,366)

Goodwill - Additional Informati

Goodwill - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)Bed	Dec. 31, 2020Bed	Oct. 31, 2020Bed	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Establishment of goodwill		This goodwill was established in connection with multiple business combination transactions.
Goodwill		$ 48,569			$ 50,537
Two Managed-only Facilities
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charges	$ 2,000
Silverdale Detention Center | Forecast
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility | Bed			1,046
Metro Davidson County Detention Facility | Subsequent Event
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility | Bed				1,348
CoreCivic Safety
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 6,000			7,900
Number of beds at the facility | Bed		72,000
CoreCivic Community
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 42,600			$ 42,600

Real Estate Transactions - Addi

Real Estate Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)FacilityBed	Sep. 15, 2020Bed	May 26, 2020USD ($)Bed	Apr. 15, 2020USD ($)Bed	Jan. 02, 2020USD ($)Propertyshares	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)FacilityBed	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)FacilityBed	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)FacilityBed	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)FacilityBed	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)Bed	Jan. 24, 2018Bed
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of properties acquired | Property					28
Purchase price of real estate					$ 83,200
Cash payments to acquire properties					7,700
Debt assumed on acquisition of property					$ 52,200						$ 52,217
Conversion holding period of operating partnership units					2 years
Operating partnership units description											one-for-one basis
Purchase price, net tangible assets					$ 77,400
Purchase price, identifiable intangible assets					7,500
Purchase price, tenant improvements					$ 4,900
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	$ 2,703,475					$ 2,703,475	$ 2,703,475				$ 2,703,475		$ 2,700,107
Operating Expense							347,927			$ 368,735	1,063,169	$ 1,060,246
Impairment charge							$ 805		$ 500		$ 13,058	4,706
Safety
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility | Bed	72,000					72,000	72,000				72,000
Community
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the center | Bed	5,000					5,000	5,000				5,000
Idled Correctional Facilities
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of facility | Facility											5
Idled Non-Core Facilities | Safety
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility | Bed	240		200			240	240				240
Number of facility | Facility											1
Net Carrying Value	$ 3,100		$ 500			$ 3,100	$ 3,100				$ 3,100
Gross sales price			$ 3,300
Gain on sale of facility								$ 2,800
Idled Residential Reentry Facility | Oklahoma
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of facility | Facility								1
Impairment charge								$ 9,800
Idled Residential Reentry Facility | CoreCivic Properties
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility | Bed	430					430	430				430
Number of facility | Facility											3
Net Carrying Value	$ 9,200					$ 9,200	$ 9,200				$ 9,200
Idle Facilities
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Operating Expense							2,100			$ 1,900	$ 6,100	$ 5,400
Idle Facilities | Community
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of facility | Facility	4										3
Net Carrying Value	$ 13,700					$ 13,700	$ 13,700				$ 13,700
Number of beds at the center | Bed	939			92		939	939				939
Gross sales price				$ 1,600
Cimarron Correctional Facility | Safety
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility | Bed		1,692
Net Carrying Value	$ 73,300					$ 73,300	$ 73,300				$ 73,300
Management agreement commencing date		Sep. 15, 2020
Initial term of management contract		3 years
Duration of unlimited extension option		24 months
Tulsa Transitional Center | Covid-19
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the center | Bed	390					390	390				390
Oklahoma City Transitional Center | Covid-19
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of closure bed | Bed								200
Turley Residential Center in Oklahoma
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of closure bed | Bed													289
South Texas Family Residential Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Management contract, expiration date						2026-09
Right-of-use asset	$ 116,000					$ 116,000	$ 116,000				$ 116,000
Maximum | South Texas Family Residential Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of beds at the facility | Facility	2,400					2,400	2,400				2,400
Minimum | South Texas Family Residential Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Agreement notice period for termination						60 days
Other Assets
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Financing receivable	$ 149,700					$ 149,700	$ 149,700				$ 149,700
Construction receivable													$ 137,700
Kansas Department Of Corrections
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Lease term														20 years
Number of beds at the facility | Bed														2,432
Construction of new facility commencement description											Construction of the facility commenced in the first quarter of 2018, and construction was completed in January 2020,
Newly Formed Partnership
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Number of properties acquired | Property					24
GRES
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Debt assumed on acquisition of property											$ 51,500
Class A Common interest shares issued | shares					1.3
Percentage of voting control					100.00%
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	$ 81,600					$ 81,600	$ 81,600				$ 81,600

Idled Facilities and Respective

Idled Facilities and Respective Carrying Values Excluding Equipment and Other Assets (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)Bed	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Prairie Correctional Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity | Bed	1,600
Date Idled	2010
Net Carrying Value | $	$ 14,277	$ 14,863
Huerfano County Correctional Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity | Bed	752
Date Idled	2010
Net Carrying Value | $	$ 16,062	16,266
Diamondback Correctional Facility
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity | Bed	2,160
Date Idled	2010
Net Carrying Value | $	$ 38,421	39,729
Marion Adjustment Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity | Bed	826
Date Idled	2013
Net Carrying Value | $	$ 11,148	11,351
Kit Carson Correctional Center
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity | Bed	1,488
Date Idled	2016
Net Carrying Value | $	$ 52,712	54,041
Idle Facilities
Facility Activations Developments And Closures [Line Items]
Design Capacity | Bed	6,826
Net Carrying Value | $	$ 132,620	$ 136,250

Schedule of Debt Outstanding (D

Schedule of Debt Outstanding (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 18, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 2,106,413	$ 1,986,865
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(13,452)	(14,993)
Unamortized original issue discount	(10,625)	(12,500)
Current portion of long-term debt	(38,644)	(31,349)
Long-term debt, net	2,043,692	1,928,023
Term Loan A Due in April 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	182,500	190,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(100)	(100)
Term Loan B Due in December 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	240,625	250,000	$ 250,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(4,300)	(4,600)
Unamortized original issue discount			$ (12,500)
Senior Notes 4.625% Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	350,000	350,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(1,600)	(2,100)
Senior Notes 5.0% Due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	250,000	250,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(1,000)	(1,300)
Senior Notes 4.75% Due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	250,000	250,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(2,800)	(3,100)
Capital Commerce Center Non-Recourse Mortgage Note 4.5% Due 2033
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	21,258	22,209
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(300)	(300)
Lansing Correctional Center Non Recourse Mortgage Note 4.43% Due 2040
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	158,570	159,522
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(3,200)	(3,300)
SSA Baltimore Non Recourse Mortgage Note 4.5% Due 2034
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	145,915	150,134
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(200)	(200)
Government Real Estate Solutions Non-Recourse Mortgage Note 4.9% maturing November 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	51,545
Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility Due in April 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 456,000	$ 365,000

Schedule of Debt Outstanding (P

Schedule of Debt Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 18, 2019	Apr. 17, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2020	Jan. 02, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility maturity date		Apr. 30, 2023
Unamortized debt issuance costs						$ 13,452		$ 14,993
Term Loan A Due in April 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate						1.60%		3.30%
Debt maturity date		Apr. 30, 2023				Apr. 30, 2023
Interest payable dates						Interest payable periodically at variable interest rates.
Unamortized debt issuance costs						$ 100		$ 100
Term Loan B Due in December 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate						5.50%		6.30%
Debt maturity date	Dec. 31, 2024					Dec. 31, 2024
Interest payable dates						Interest payable periodically at variable interest rates.
Unamortized debt issuance costs						$ 4,300		$ 4,600
Senior Notes 4.625% Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate					4.625%	4.625%
Debt maturity date					May 1, 2023	May 31, 2023
Unamortized debt issuance costs						$ 1,600		2,100
Senior Notes 5.0% Due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate				5.00%		5.00%
Debt maturity date				Oct. 15, 2022		Oct. 31, 2022
Unamortized debt issuance costs						$ 1,000		1,300
Senior Notes 4.75% Due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			4.75%			4.75%
Debt maturity date			Oct. 15, 2027			Oct. 31, 2027
Unamortized debt issuance costs						$ 2,800		3,100
Capital Commerce Center Non-Recourse Mortgage Note 4.5% Due 2033
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate						4.50%
Debt maturity date						Jan. 31, 2033
Unamortized debt issuance costs						$ 300		300
Lansing Correctional Center Non Recourse Mortgage Note 4.43% Due 2040
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate						4.43%
Debt maturity date						Jan. 31, 2040
Unamortized debt issuance costs						$ 3,200		3,300
SSA Baltimore Non Recourse Mortgage Note 4.5% Due 2034
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate						4.50%
Debt maturity date						Feb. 28, 2034
Unamortized debt issuance costs						$ 200		$ 200
Government Real Estate Solutions Non-Recourse Mortgage Note 4.9% maturing November 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate						4.91%	4.91%
Debt maturity date						Nov. 30, 2025
Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility Due in April 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility maturity date						Apr. 30, 2023
Weighted average rate						1.70%		3.30%
Interest payable dates						Interest payable periodically at variable interest rates.

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Detail)	Jan. 02, 2020USD ($)Property	Dec. 18, 2019USD ($)	Aug. 23, 2018USD ($)ft²	Apr. 20, 2018USD ($)	Apr. 17, 2018USD ($)	Jan. 19, 2018USD ($)ft²	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2013USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity period					Apr. 30, 2023
Borrowings outstanding under credit facility										$ 456,000,000
Total debt										2,106,413,000	$ 1,986,865,000
Debt Instrument outstanding balance										2,106,413,000	1,986,865,000
Unamortized original issue discount										10,625,000	12,500,000
Purchase price of real estate	$ 83,200,000
Business acquisition assumed in-place financing	$ 52,200,000									52,217,000
Number of properties acquired | Property	28
Newly Formed Partnership
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of properties acquired | Property	24
Capital Commerce Center
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Area of Building Acquired | ft²						261,000
Purchase price of real estate						$ 44,700,000
Non-Recourse Mortgage Note | Capital Commerce Center
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument outstanding balance										21,300,000
Debt instrument, term						15 years
Stated interest rate						4.50%
Capitalized loan costs						$ 400,000
Amount of acquisition financed with non-recourse mortgage note						$ 24,500,000
Mortgage note maturity date						2033-01
Non-Recourse Senior Secured Notes | Private Placement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity date				Jan. 31, 2040
Debt Instrument outstanding balance										158,600,000
Debt instrument, term				20 years
Aggregate principal amount				$ 159,500,000
Stated interest rate				4.43%
Expected project completion period				January 2020
Notes issuance costs				$ 3,400,000
Non-Recourse Senior Secured Notes | SSA-Baltimore
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity date			Feb. 28, 2034
Debt Instrument outstanding balance										145,900,000
Stated interest rate			4.50%
Area of Building Acquired | ft²			541,000
Purchase price of real estate			$ 242,000,000
Notes issuance costs			200,000
Business acquisition assumed in-place financing			157,300,000
Balloon payment			$ 40,000,000
Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity					$ 1,000,000,000
Debt maturity period					Apr. 30, 2023
Line of credit facility, aggregate principal amount of additional borrowing					$ 350,000,000
Credit Agreement | Term Loan A Due in April 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity					$ 200,000,000
Term Loan A Due in April 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt										$ 182,500,000
Debt maturity date					Apr. 30, 2023					Apr. 30, 2023
Debt Instrument outstanding balance										$ 182,500,000	190,000,000
Term Loan B Due in December 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt										$ 240,600,000
Debt maturity date		Dec. 31, 2024								Dec. 31, 2024
Debt Instrument outstanding balance		$ 250,000,000								$ 240,625,000	250,000,000
Debt instrument, term		5 years
Percentage of loan to value of certain specified real property assets secured by a first lien		80.00%
Debt instrument, issued price percentage of principal		95.00%
Unamortized original issue discount		$ 12,500,000
Capitalized loan costs		$ 5,100,000
Debt instrument prepayment premium percentage		1.00%
Term Loan B Due in December 2024 | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, percentage points added to reference rate		3.50%
Term Loan B Due in December 2024 | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, percentage points added to reference rate		4.50%
Libor floor rate		1.00%
Senior Notes 4.125% Due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount		$ 325,000,000
Stated interest rate		4.125%
Debt instrument redemption percentage of par									100.00%
Senior Notes 4.625% Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity date									May 1, 2023	May 31, 2023
Debt Instrument outstanding balance										$ 350,000,000	350,000,000
Aggregate principal amount									$ 350,000,000
Stated interest rate									4.625%	4.625%
Debt instrument redemption percentage of par									100.00%
Senior Notes 5.0% Due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity date								Oct. 15, 2022		Oct. 31, 2022
Debt Instrument outstanding balance										$ 250,000,000	250,000,000
Aggregate principal amount								$ 250,000,000
Stated interest rate								5.00%		5.00%
Debt instrument redemption percentage of par								100.00%
Senior Notes 4.75% Due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity date							Oct. 15, 2027			Oct. 31, 2027
Debt Instrument outstanding balance										$ 250,000,000	$ 250,000,000
Aggregate principal amount							$ 250,000,000
Stated interest rate							4.75%			4.75%
Debt instrument redemption percentage of par							100.00%
Government Real Estate Solutions Non-Recourse Mortgage Note 4.9% maturing November 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt										$ 51,500,000
Debt maturity date										Nov. 30, 2025
Debt Instrument outstanding balance										$ 51,545,000
Stated interest rate	4.91%									4.91%
Purchase price of real estate	$ 83,200,000
Business acquisition assumed in-place financing	52,200,000
Balloon payment	$ 46,200,000
Number of properties acquired	28
Debt instrument fixed monthly payment maturity period	Nov. 30, 2025
Number of properties pledged | Property	24
Government Real Estate Solutions Non-Recourse Mortgage Note 4.9% maturing November 2025 | Newly Formed Partnership
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of properties acquired | Property	24
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Sublimit swing line loans					$ 30,000,000
Percentage of commitment fee to unfunded balance										0.35%	0.35%
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity										$ 329,200,000
Sublimit for issuance of standby letters of credit					$ 50,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility letters of credit outstanding										$ 14,800,000
Percentage of capital stock of foreign subsidiary secured by pledge under Revolving Credit Facilities					65.00%
Revolving Credit Facility | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, percentage points added to reference rate										0.50%	0.50%
Revolving Credit Facility | Base Rate | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, percentage points added to reference rate					0.00%
Revolving Credit Facility | Base Rate | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, percentage points added to reference rate					1.00%
Revolving Credit Facility | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, percentage points added to reference rate										1.50%	1.50%
Revolving Credit Facility | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, percentage points added to reference rate					1.00%
Revolving Credit Facility | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, percentage points added to reference rate					2.00%
Revolving Credit Facility | Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity					$ 800,000,000

Schedule of Principal Payments

Schedule of Principal Payments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2020 (remainder)	$ 8,585
2021	40,047
2022	293,990
2023	996,170
2024	196,044
2025	61,730
Thereafter	509,847
Total debt	$ 2,106,413	$ 1,986,865

Declared Common Stock Dividends

Declared Common Stock Dividends (Detail) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Per Share	$ 0.44	$ 0.44	$ 0.44	$ 0.44
Dividend Payment 1st
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date	Feb. 21, 2019
Record Date	Apr. 1, 2019
Payable Date	Apr. 15, 2019
Per Share	$ 0.44
Dividend Payment 2nd
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date	May 16, 2019
Record Date	Jul. 1, 2019
Payable Date	Jul. 16, 2019
Per Share	$ 0.44
Dividend Payment 3rd
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date	Aug. 15, 2019
Record Date	Oct. 1, 2019
Payable Date	Oct. 15, 2019
Per Share	$ 0.44
Dividend Payment 4th
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date	Dec. 12, 2019
Record Date	Jan. 6, 2020
Payable Date	Jan. 15, 2020
Per Share	$ 0.44
Dividend Payment 5th
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date	Feb. 20, 2020
Record Date	Apr. 1, 2020
Payable Date	Apr. 15, 2020
Per Share	$ 0.44

Stockholders' Equity - Addition

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Common stock options outstanding	0.5		0.5
Weighted average exercise price per share of common stock outstanding	$ 22.13		$ 22.13
Restricted stock based awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Fair value of restricted common stock units issued by CoreCivic to certain of its employees and non-employee directors			$ 20.9		$ 20.1
Vesting description			The RSUs awarded to officers and executive officers in 2019 and 2020 consist of a combination of awards with performance-based conditions and time-based conditions.  Unless earlier vested under the terms of the RSU agreements, the RSUs with time-based vesting conditions vest evenly generally on the first, second, and third anniversary of the award. The RSUs with performance-based vesting conditions are divided into one-third increments, each of which is subject to vesting based upon satisfaction of certain annual performance criteria established at the beginning of the fiscal years ending December 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021 for the 2019 awards, and December 31, 2020, 2021, and 2022 for the 2020 awards, and which can be increased by up to 150% or decreased to 0% based on performance relative to the annual performance criteria, and further increased or decreased using a modifier of 80% to 120% based on CoreCivic's total shareholder return relative to a peer group.  Because the performance criteria for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2021 and 2022 have not yet been established, the values of the third RSU increment of the 2019 awards and of the second and third increments of the 2020 awards for financial reporting purposes will not be determined until such criteria are established.
Increase in vesting percentage based on performance relative to annual performance criteria			150.00%
Decrease in vesting percentage based on performance relative to annual performance criteria			0.00%
Allocated share-based compensation expense	$ 4.1	$ 4.6	$ 13	$ 12.7
Restricted common stock units remained outstanding and subject to vesting	2		2
Restricted stock based awards | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Increase decrease in vesting percentage based on shareholder return relative to peer group			80.00%
Restricted stock based awards | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Increase decrease in vesting percentage based on shareholder return relative to peer group			120.00%
Restricted stock based awards | General and Administrative
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Allocated share-based compensation expense	$ 3.7	4.2	$ 11.7	11.3
Restricted stock based awards | Operating
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Allocated share-based compensation expense	$ 0.4	$ 0.4	$ 1.3	$ 1.4
Restricted stock based awards | Employees And Non Employee Directors
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Restricted common stock units issued by CoreCivic			1.2		0.9
Restricted stock based awards | Employees And Non Employee Directors | General and Administrative
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Restricted common stock units issued by CoreCivic			1.1		0.8
Restricted stock based awards | Employee | Operating
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Restricted common stock units issued by CoreCivic			0.1		0.1
Restricted stock based awards | Officers And Executive Officers
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Vesting period			3 years
Percent of awards eligible to vest			33.33%
Restricted stock based awards | Non Employee Directors
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Vesting period			1 year
Restricted stock based awards | Other Employees
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Vesting period, continuous service requirement			3 years

Schedule of Calculation of Nume

Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to common stockholders, Basic	$ 26,717			$ 48,994			$ 80,960	$ 146,912
Net income attributable to common stockholders, Diluted	26,717			48,994			80,960	146,912
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest, Diluted							1,181
Diluted net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 26,717	$ 22,186	$ 33,238	$ 48,994	$ 48,578	$ 49,340	$ 82,141	$ 146,912
Weighted average common shares outstanding, Basic	119,632			119,096			119,533	119,028
Weighted average common shares outstanding, Basic	119,632			119,096			119,533	119,028
Non-controlling interest – Operating Partnership Units	1,342						1,342
Weighted average shares and assumed conversions	120,980			119,189			120,900	119,162
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	$ 0.22			$ 0.41			$ 0.68	$ 1.23
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$ 0.22			$ 0.41			$ 0.68	$ 1.23
Stock options
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities				3				30
Restricted stock based awards
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities	6			90			25	104

Earnings Per Share - Additional

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
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	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.4

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Minimum Distribution Percentage of Taxable Income to Qualify for Real Estate Investment Trust				90.00%
Income tax expense	$ 369,000		$ 1,486,000	$ 3,183,000	$ 5,942,000
Lease expiration term				20 years
Deferred employer side social security payments				$ 19,600,000
Liabilities for uncertain tax positions	0			0		$ 0
Lansing Correctional Facility
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax expense deferred during construction period		$ 3,100,000
Deferred tax asset revalued upon conversion of TRS to QRS	$ 0			$ 0

Segment Reporting - Additional

Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020PropertySegmentFacility
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Operating segments | Segment	3
CoreCivic Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of facilities operated by the company	49
Number of facilities owned by the company	42
CoreCivic Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of centers owned and operated by company	27
CoreCivic Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of properties for lease to third parties and used by government agencies | Property	57

Schedule of Revenue and Net Ope

Schedule of Revenue and Net Operating Income for Each of the Three Segments and a Reconciliation to CoreCivic's Operating Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 468,266		$ 508,522	$ 1,432,008	$ 1,482,880
Operating expenses	347,927		368,735	1,063,169	1,060,246
Operating income	45,166		71,095	143,418	215,313
General and administrative	(35,883)		(32,038)	(97,307)	(94,847)
Depreciation and amortization	(37,865)		(36,654)	(114,436)	(107,768)
Contingent consideration for acquisition of businesses	(620)			(620)
Asset impairments	(805)	$ (500)		(13,058)	(4,706)
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	468,233		508,493	1,431,880	1,482,748
Operating expenses	347,841		368,514	1,062,827	1,059,833
Operating income	120,392		139,979	369,053	422,915
Operating Segments | Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	420,032		457,817	1,281,914	1,332,545
Operating expenses	319,335		338,116	973,811	971,706
Operating income	100,697		119,701	308,103	360,839
Operating Segments | Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	24,067		30,848	80,670	92,120
Operating expenses	21,095		24,168	67,745	70,750
Operating income	2,972		6,680	12,925	21,370
Operating Segments | CoreCivic Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	24,134		19,828	69,296	58,083
Operating expenses	7,411		6,230	21,271	17,377
Operating income	16,723		13,598	48,025	40,706
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Other operating expense	(86)		(221)	(342)	(413)
General and administrative	(35,883)		(32,038)	(97,307)	(94,847)
Depreciation and amortization	(37,865)		(36,654)	(114,436)	(107,768)
Contingent consideration for acquisition of businesses	(620)			(620)
Asset impairments	(805)			(13,058)	(4,706)
Segment Reconciling Items | Other Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 33		$ 29	$ 128	$ 132

Summary of Capital Expenditures

Summary of Capital Expenditures Including Accrued Amounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 16,787	$ 44,858	$ 134,119	$ 154,774
Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	11,856	19,088	25,261	58,015
Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	515	657	1,553	3,381
CoreCivic Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	3,177	20,235	102,446	80,329
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 1,239	$ 4,878	$ 4,859	$ 13,049

Schedule of Total Assets (Detai

Schedule of Total Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 4,041,203	$ 3,791,631
Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	2,593,986	2,606,127
Community
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	250,022	275,882
CoreCivic Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	784,397	682,249
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 412,798	$ 227,373