Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2011		Jul. 04, 2010
Cash Flow from Operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ 95,262		$ 85,338
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition, cash consideration, net of cash acquired	(409,607)		0
Just Care purchase price adjustment	0		(41)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	619		334
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	6,640		0
Change in restricted cash	(11,478)		(5,218)
Capital expenditures	(87,362)		(56,363)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(501,188)		(61,288)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(46,832)		(41,084)
Proceeds from long-term debt	482,260		97,000
Payments for purchase of treasury shares	0		(77,278)
Distribution to MCF partners	(4,012)		0
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	2,209		4,871
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	392		15
Debt issuance costs	(10,771)		0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	423,246		(16,476)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	469		(1,295)
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	17,789		6,279
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	39,664	[1]	33,856
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	57,453		40,135
The GEO Group Inc. [Member]
Cash Flow from Operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	64,488		59,432
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition, cash consideration, net of cash acquired	(409,607)
Capital expenditures	(82,994)		(50,127)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(492,601)		(50,127)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(38,638)		(33,853)
Proceeds from long-term debt	482,260		97,000
Payments for purchase of treasury shares			(77,278)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	2,209		4,871
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	392		15
Debt issuance costs	(10,771)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	435,452		(9,245)
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	7,339		60
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	2,614		12,376
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	9,953		12,436
Combined Subsidiary Guarantors [Member]
Cash Flow from Operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(1,202)		742
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Just Care purchase price adjustment			(41)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	619		334
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	6,640
Capital expenditures	(3,236)		(5,654)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	4,023		(5,361)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(576)		(348)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(576)		(348)
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	2,245		(4,967)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	221		5,333
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	2,466		366
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flow from Operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	31,976		25,164
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	(11,478)		(5,218)
Capital expenditures	(1,132)		(582)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(12,610)		(5,800)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(7,618)		(6,883)
Distribution to MCF partners	(4,012)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(11,630)		(6,883)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	469		(1,295)
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	8,205		11,186
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	36,829		16,147
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	$ 45,034		$ 27,333

[1] Derived from audited financial statements.