Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2011	Jul. 04, 2010	Jul. 03, 2011	Jul. 04, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 407,817	$ 280,095	$ 799,583	$ 567,637
Operating expenses	308,644	216,916	607,930	443,248
Depreciation and amortization	21,056	9,474	39,858	18,712
General and administrative expenses	27,710	20,655	60,498	38,103
Operating income	50,407	33,050	91,297	67,574
Interest income	1,629	1,486	3,198	2,715
Interest expense	(19,412)	(8,447)	(36,373)	(16,261)
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliate	32,624	26,089	58,122	54,028
Provision for income taxes	12,879	10,192	22,659	21,013
Equity in earnings of affiliate, net of income tax provision of $563, $437, $1,587 and $1,223	1,418	1,128	2,080	1,718
Net income	21,163	17,025	37,543	34,733
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	415	(8)	825	(44)
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	21,578	17,017	38,368	34,689
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	64,455	48,776	64,373	49,743
Diluted	64,858	49,314	64,787	50,480
Income per Common Share Attributable to The GEO Group Inc.-Basic	$ 0.33	$ 0.35	$ 0.60	$ 0.70
Income per Common Share Attributable to The GEO Group Inc.-Diluted	$ 0.33	$ 0.35	$ 0.59	$ 0.69
Comprehensive income:
Net income	21,163	17,025	37,543	34,733
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	497	(3,084)	802	(2,900)
Total comprehensive income	21,660	13,941	38,345	31,833
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	418	27	835	(28)
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 22,078	$ 13,968	$ 39,180	$ 31,805