Common stock subject to awards under plan one.

Name:	geo_CommonStockSubjectToAwardsUnderPlanOne
Namespace Prefix:	geo
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Discount to purchase shares under Employee Stock Purchase Plan through payroll deductions.

+ Details

Name:	geo_DiscountToPurchaseSharesUnderEmployeeStockPurchasePlanThroughPayrollDeductions
Namespace Prefix:	geo
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Equity incentive plans.

+ Details

Name:	geo_EquityIncentivePlansAdditionalTextualAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	geo
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Equity Incentive Plans.

+ Details

Name:	geo_EquityIncentivePlansTextualAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	geo
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Grant Date Fair Value Of Equity Awards Issued During Period

+ Details

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

- Definition

Grant date fair value of equity awards issued price.

+ Details

Name:	geo_GrantDateFairValueOfEquityAwardsIssuedPrice
Namespace Prefix:	geo
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Shares vested in equal 25% increments on each of the four anniversary dates.

+ Details

Name:	geo_IncrementsOfRestrictedStockGranted
Namespace Prefix:	geo
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Authorized Previously.

+ Details

Name:	geo_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorizedPreviously
Namespace Prefix:	geo
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Share to be offered for sale to eligible employees.

+ Details

Name:	geo_ShareToBeOfferedForSaleToEligibleEmployees
Namespace Prefix:	geo
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Stock awards vested on grant date.

+ Details

Name:	geo_StockAwardsVestedOnGrantDate
Namespace Prefix:	geo
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Stock awards vested through 2015.

+ Details

Name:	geo_StockAwardsVestedThereafter
Namespace Prefix:	geo
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Stock awards vesting period.

+ Details

Name:	geo_StockAwardsVestingPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	geo
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Stock awards vest over four years.

+ Details

Name:	geo_StockAwardsVestOverFourYears
Namespace Prefix:	geo
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Stock awards vest over three years.

+ Details

Name:	geo_StockAwardsVestOverThreeYears
Namespace Prefix:	geo
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph g(1)

-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 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6793087&loc=d3e301413-122809

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 14

-Section F

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph 64

-Subparagraph b

-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.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

As of the balance sheet date, the aggregate unrecognized cost of equity-based awards made to employees under equity-based compensation awards that have yet to vest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph h

-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 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, using a decimal to express in number of years.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph a

-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 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Equity Incentive Plans (Details Textual) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended						9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended						9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2011	Oct. 02, 2011	Feb. 16, 2011	Aug. 12, 2010	Oct. 02, 2011 Share based compensation awards other than option [Member]	Feb. 16, 2011 Share based compensation awards other than option [Member]	Oct. 02, 2011 Restricted Stock [Member] USD ($) Year	Oct. 03, 2010 Restricted Stock [Member] USD ($)	Oct. 02, 2011 Restricted Stock [Member] Senior Employee and Director [Member]	Oct. 02, 2011 Stock Options [Member] USD ($) Year	Oct. 03, 2010 Stock Options [Member] USD ($)	Apr. 15, 2011 Stock Options [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 01, 2011 Stock Options [Member] USD ($)	Oct. 02, 2011 Stock Options [Member] Director [Member]	Oct. 02, 2011 Stock Options [Member] Employee [Member]	Oct. 02, 2011 Performance Based Share [Member]	Oct. 02, 2011 Performance Based Share [Member] Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President [Member]	Oct. 02, 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	Jul. 09, 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Equity Incentive Plans (Additional Textual) [Abstract]
Number of shares authorized amended			1,083,000	4,400,000		2,166,000			171,010					25,000	529,350		205,000
Common stock available for the issuance of awards		1,707,484			943,804
Share based compensation expense							$ 2.6	$ 2.5		$ 2.2	$ 1.0
Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Issued Price												$ 10.06	$ 9.72
Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Issued During Period							9.2
Unrecognized compensation costs related to non vested stock option awards							$ 8.4			$ 4.6
Expected weighted average period recognized of recognition							2.6			3.0
Stock awards vest over three years							49,010
Stock awards vest over four years							122,000
Stock awards vesting period																3 years
Discount to purchase shares under Employee Stock Purchase Plan through payroll deductions																			5.00%
Share to be offered for sale to eligible employees																		500,000
Equity Incentive Plans (Textual) [Abstract]
Common stock subject to awards under the 2006 Plan			2,000,000	2,000,000
Number of shares authorized previously				2,400,000
Number of shares authorized amended			1,083,000	4,400,000		2,166,000			171,010					25,000	529,350		205,000
Stock awards vested on grant date		20.00%
Stock awards vested through 2015	20.00%
Increments of restricted stock granted	25.00%