Business Segment and Geographic Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2011	Jul. 04, 2010	Jul. 03, 2011	Jul. 04, 2010	Jan. 02, 2011
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 407,817	$ 280,095	$ 799,583	$ 567,637
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	21,056	9,474	39,858	18,712
Operating Income
Operating income from segments	78,117	53,705	151,795	105,677
General and administrative expenses	(27,710)	(20,655)	(60,498)	(38,103)
Total Operating Income	50,407	33,050	91,297	67,574
Total Assets	2,982,293		2,982,293		2,422,799	[1]
U.S. Detention & Corrections [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	241,676	192,081	483,305	381,788
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	13,326	8,177	26,254	16,083
Operating Income
Operating income from segments	54,371	45,528	110,148	90,468
Total Assets	1,906,439		1,906,439		1,855,067
International services [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	55,284	44,708	108,413	90,590
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	548	420	1,077	855
Operating Income
Operating income from segments	2,323	3,407	6,274	5,250
Total Assets	100,878		100,878		103,004
GEO Care [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	110,857	36,973	207,746	74,475
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	7,182	877	12,527	1,774
Operating Income
Operating income from segments	21,446	4,573	35,293	8,814
Total Assets	765,907		765,907		301,334
Facility Constructions and Design [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues		6,333	119	20,784
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization
Operating Income
Operating income from segments	(23)	197	80	1,145
Total Assets	144		144		26
Reportable segment assets
Operating Income
Total Assets	$ 2,773,368		$ 2,773,368		$ 2,259,431

[1] Derived from audited financial statements.