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Stockholders Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified |
1 Months Ended | 24 Months Ended | 48 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
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Aug. 31, 2011
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May 31, 2011
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Feb. 28, 2010
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2009
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Sep. 30, 2012
Restricted Stock
|
Sep. 30, 2011
Restricted Stock
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Sep. 30, 2012
Restricted Stock
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Sep. 30, 2011
Restricted Stock
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Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Stock
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Sep. 30, 2012
Stock options
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Sep. 30, 2011
Stock options
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Sep. 30, 2012
Stock options
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Sep. 30, 2011
Stock options
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Dec. 31, 2011
Stock options
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Sep. 30, 2012
General and Administrative Expense
Restricted Stock
|
Sep. 30, 2011
General and Administrative Expense
Restricted Stock
|
Sep. 30, 2012
General and Administrative Expense
Restricted Stock
|
Sep. 30, 2011
General and Administrative Expense
Restricted Stock
|
Dec. 31, 2011
General and Administrative Expense
Restricted Stock
|
Sep. 30, 2012
Operating Expense
Restricted Stock
|
Sep. 30, 2011
Operating Expense
Restricted Stock
|
Sep. 30, 2012
Operating Expense
Restricted Stock
|
Sep. 30, 2011
Operating Expense
Restricted Stock
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Expense
Restricted Stock
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Sep. 30, 2012
Officers And Executive Officers
Restricted Stock
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Sep. 30, 2012
Other Employees
Restricted Stock
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Sep. 30, 2012
Executive Officer
Stock options
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Sep. 30, 2012
Other Officers
Stock options
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Dec. 31, 2011
Non Employee Directors
General and Administrative Expense
Restricted Stock
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| Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Approval of share repurchase program of CCA's common stock by company's Board of Directors | $ 500.0 | $ 350.0 | $ 250.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increased aggregate value of shares authorized for repurchase under share repurchase program | 100.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock repurchased by CCA, shares | 17,700,000 | 10,700,000 | 28,400,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock repurchased by CCA | 383.2 | 125.0 | 508.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock repurchased by CCA, average price per share | $ 21.63 | $ 11.72 | $ 17.91 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted common stock and common stock units and stock options issued by CCA to certain of its employees | 346,000 | 706,000 | 575,000 | 287,000 | 227,000 | 59,000 | 38,000 | 265,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of restricted common stock and common stock units and stock options issued by CCA to certain of its employees | 9.1 | 6.5 | 5.3 | 5.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vesting period | 3 years | 3 years | 4 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Performance criteria, cumulative period | 3 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Percent of awards eligible to vest | 0.33% | 0.33% | 0.25% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vesting period, continuous service requirement | 3 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allocated share-based compensation expense | 2.0 | 1.6 | 5.6 | 4.6 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 4.8 | 3.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted common stock and common stock units remained outstanding and subject to vesting | 780,000 | 780,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average exercise price of common stock shares issued to directors, officers and executive officers | $ 26.26 | $ 24.45 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expense net of estimated forfeitures, relating to common stock options | $ 1.2 | $ 1.0 | $ 3.5 | $ 3.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock options outstanding | 4,100,000 | 4,100,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average exercise price of common stock outstanding | $ 20.46 | $ 20.46 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||