Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
Jul. 01, 2012
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Restricted Stock Awards On July 20, 2012, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors adopted resolutions providing that all future performance-based equity grants under GEO's equity incentive plans will be subject to multiple annual performance metrics. Such annual metrics for performance-based awards will include earnings-per-share performance and return on capital employed results. Such metrics will not include revenue for future performance-based awards (Refer to Note 6 - Equity Incentive Plans). In connection with the resolution, the Compensation Committee canceled the restricted stock awards previously granted on March 12, 2012 to certain executive officers. In lieu of the canceled awards, the Compensation Committee granted new restricted stock awards on July 20, 2012 to these same executive officers covering the same number of shares of restricted stock as were granted in March 2012. The vesting of these new restricted stock grants will be subject to the achievement by GEO of two annual performance metrics as follows: (i) up to 75% of the shares of restricted stock in each award can vest annually or cumulatively if GEO meets certain earnings per share performance targets during years 2012, 2013 and 2014; and (ii) up to 25% of the shares of restricted stock in each award can vest annually if GEO meets certain return on capital performance targets in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Based on the terms of the agreement, the Company does not expect there to be any incremental compensation cost related to the modified awards. Dividends On August 7, 2012, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $.20 per share to shareholders of record on August 21, 2012 to be paid out on September 7, 2012. Operating Tax Refund In the Third Quarter 2012, the Company received net refunds, not related to income taxes, in the amount of $6.0 million for certain previously disputed tax claims in various jurisdictions.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Restricted Stock Awards

On July 20, 2012, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors adopted resolutions providing that all future performance-based equity grants under GEO's equity incentive plans will be subject to multiple annual performance metrics. Such annual metrics for performance-based awards will include earnings-per-share performance and return on capital employed results. Such metrics will not include revenue for future performance-based awards (Refer to Note 6 - Equity Incentive Plans). In connection with the resolution, the Compensation Committee canceled the restricted stock awards previously granted on March 12, 2012 to certain executive officers. In lieu of the canceled awards, the Compensation Committee granted new restricted stock awards on July 20, 2012 to these same executive officers covering the same number of shares of restricted stock as were granted in March 2012. The vesting of these new restricted stock grants will be subject to the achievement by GEO of two annual performance metrics as follows: (i) up to 75% of the shares of restricted stock in each award can vest annually or cumulatively if GEO meets certain earnings per share performance targets during years 2012, 2013 and 2014; and (ii) up to 25% of the shares of restricted stock in each award can vest annually if GEO meets certain return on capital performance targets in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Based on the terms of the agreement, the Company does not expect there to be any incremental compensation cost related to the modified awards.

Dividends

On August 7, 2012, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $.20 per share to shareholders of record on August 21, 2012 to be paid out on September 7, 2012.

Operating Tax Refund

In the Third Quarter 2012, the Company received net refunds, not related to income taxes, in the amount of $6.0 million for certain previously disputed tax claims in various jurisdictions.