Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2011	Oct. 03, 2010
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 58,836	$ 39,743
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,050	227
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	59,886	39,970
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	61,832	32,096
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium	1,148	3,022
Restricted stock expense	2,642	2,529
Stock option plan expense	2,201	1,004
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,235	140
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(2,352)	(2,868)
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	(536)	(786)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		7,933
Loss on sale of property and equipment	205
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	5,402	3,909
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	28,836	2,711
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	3,623	13,944
Net cash provided by operating activities	164,124	103,604
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Cornell Acquisition, cash consideration		(260,239)
BI acquisition, cash consideration, net of cash acquired	(409,607)
Just Care purchase price adjustment		(41)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	795	334
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	7,121
Change in restricted cash	(4,126)	(2,070)
Capital expenditures	(177,656)	(68,284)
Net cash used in investing activities	(583,473)	(330,300)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(127,544)	(342,460)
Proceeds from long-term debt	617,247	673,000
Distribution to MCF partners	(4,012)
Payments for purchase of treasury shares	(49,987)	(80,000)
Payments for retirement of common stock		(7,078)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	2,446	5,747
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	536	786
Debt issuance costs	(11,192)	(5,750)
Net cash provided by financing activities	427,494	244,245
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	(3,853)	2,361
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	4,292	19,910
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	39,664	33,856
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	43,956	53,766
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 21,886	$ 8,565