Debt (Details Textuals)	6 Months Ended				6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 03, 2011 ZAR	Jul. 03, 2011 CAD	Jan. 02, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 03, 2011 Eurodollar Loans [Member]	Jul. 03, 2011 ABR Loans [Member]	Jul. 03, 2011 Term Loan A, B And A - 2 [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 03, 2011 Revolver [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 03, 2011 Additional Revolver [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 03, 2011 Term Loan A [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 03, 2011 Term Loan A - 2 [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 03, 2011 Term Loan B [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 03, 2011 Senior Unsecured Note Due 2021 [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 03, 2011 Maximum [Member]	Jul. 03, 2011 Minimum [Member]
Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Reduction in applicable rate					2.75% per annum from 3.25% per annum	1.75% per annum from 2.25% per annum
Reduction in LIBOR floor rate	1.00% per annum from 2.25% per annum
Senior Notes								$ 500,000,000		$ 150,000,000	$ 150,000,000	$ 200,000,000	$ 300,000,000
Libor swap interest rate								Libor + 2.75%		Libor + 2.75%	Libor + 2.75%	Libor + 2.75% with Libor floor of 1.00%
Maturity date of senior credit facilities								Aug. 01, 2015		Aug. 01, 2015	Aug. 01, 2015	Aug. 01, 2016
Incremental borrowings under senior credit facility	150,000,000
Outstanding balance in Senior Credit Facility	68,600,000						489,300,000	210,000,000	221,400,000
Maximum interest coverage ratio as per credit agreement														3.00	1.00
Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Additional borrowing capacity	250,000,000
Deferred financing fees written off, net of accumulated amortization	9,100,000
Borrowing under amended senior credit facility	150,000,000
Number of beds in South Texas detention complex in Frio County	1,904
Maximum amount of obligation of SACS guaranteed through the issuance of letters of credit	9,000,000	60,000,000
Percentage of amount payable by SACS into the restricted account guaranteed by company		60.00%	60.00%
Stand by letters of credit provided as security for guarantee	1,300,000	8,400,000
Maximum loan amount under stand by facility to SACS	3,000,000	20,000,000
Potential estimated exposure of tax obligations	2,600,000		2,500,000
Liability related to potential tax exposure	1,900,000			1,800,000
Letters of guarantee outstanding relating to performance guarantees	$ 10,400,000
Number of letters of guarantee outstanding under separate international facilities relating to performance guarantees		8	8