Commitments and contingencies.

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- Definition

Capital expenditure related to facility maintenance cost maximum range.

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

Capital expenditure related to facility maintenance cost minimum range.

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Namespace Prefix:	geo
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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Claims against the company related to property damages including interest.

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- Definition

Commitments And Contingencies.

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- Definition

Cost already spent on existing capital projects.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	geo
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Estimated construction capital project cost.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum exposure to the company if appeal resolved unfavorably.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of beds under terminated contract.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Remaining capital required for capital projects.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A verdict entered against the Company.

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- Definition

The estimated maximum amount of possible loss from the contingency.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14557-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 14
-Paragraph 3
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 5
-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14435-108349

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 03, 2011 AUD	Jun. 22, 2011 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2011 South texas intermediate sanction facility [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Bridgeport correctional center [Member]	May 29, 2011 Graceville correctional facility [Member]
Additional Commitments and Contingencies (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of beds under terminated contract				424	970	215
Commitments and Contingencies (Textuals) [Abstract]
Verdict against the company in wrongful death action			$ 6.5
Amount of liability responsible for wrongful death action			3.0
Claims against the company related to property damages including interest	19.4	18.0
Maximum exposure to the company if appeal resolved unfavorably	2.6
Estimated construction capital project cost	279.0
Cost already spent on existing capital projects	87.6
Remaining capital required for capital projects	182.9
Capital expenditure related to facility maintenance cost minimum range	20.0
Capital expenditure related to facility maintenance cost maximum range	$ 25.0