Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 02, 2011
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net Income	$ 52,262	$ 58,836
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	881	1,050
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	53,143	59,886
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	70,643	61,496
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium	2,341	1,148
Restricted stock expense	3,195	2,642
Stock option plan expense	1,918	2,201
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	8,462	0
Provision for doubtful accounts	478	1,235
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(1,652)	(2,352)
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	(241)	(536)
Loss on sale of property and equipment	1,059	205
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	0	5,402
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	56,550	25,896
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	29,386	4,138
Net cash provided by operating activities	225,282	161,361
Cash provided by operating activities - discontinued operations	1,113	2,763
Net cash provided by operating activities	226,395	164,124
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition, cash consideration, net of cash acquired	0	(409,607)
Acquisition of ownership interests in MCF	(35,154)	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	608	795
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	5,641	7,121
Change in restricted cash and investments	40,778	(4,126)
Capital expenditures	(92,356)	(177,656)
Net cash used in investing activities	(80,483)	(583,473)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(352,131)	(127,544)
Proceeds from long-term debt	263,000	617,247
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(5,758)	(4,012)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	1,846	2,446
Debt issuance costs	(917)	(11,192)
Payment of make-whole provision and other fees for early extinguishment of debt	(14,861)	0
Payments for purchase of treasury shares	(48)	(49,987)
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	241	536
Payments for retirement of common stock	(1,035)	0
Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock in connection with ESPP	373	0
Cash dividends paid	(12,304)	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(121,594)	427,494
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	14	(3,853)
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	24,332	4,292
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	44,753	39,664
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	69,085	43,956
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Deferred tax assets recorded in equity in connection with MCF transaction	8,213	0
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 2,818	$ 21,886