Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012	Jan. 02, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 1,479,062	$ 1,407,172	$ 1,084,592
Operating Expenses	1,089,232	1,036,010	811,767
Depreciation and Amortization	91,685	81,548	44,365
General and administrative expenses	113,792	110,015	101,558
Operating Income	184,353	179,599	126,902
Interest Income	6,716	7,032	6,242
Interest Expense	(82,189)	(75,378)	(40,694)
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt	(8,462)	0	(7,933)
Income before income taxes, equity in earnings of affiliates, and discontinued operations	100,418	111,253	84,517
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes	(40,562)	43,172	34,364
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates, net of income tax provision of $1,660, $2,406 and $2,212	3,578	1,563	4,218
Income from Continuing Operations	144,558	69,644	54,371
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(7,805), $4,753, and $5,168	(10,660)	7,819	8,419
Net Income	133,898	77,463	62,790
Less: loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	852	1,162	678
Net Income Attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	134,750	78,625	63,468
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax benefit (provision) of $1,784, $999 and ($1,313), respectively	1,561	(5,964)	5,154
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax benefit of $291, $730 and $232, respectively	(461)	(1,131)	(383)
Change in fair value of derivative instrument classified as cash flow hedge, net of tax benefit of $261, $638 and $69, respectively	(476)	(1,158)	(126)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	624	(8,253)	4,645
Total comprehensive income	134,522	69,210	67,435
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	968	1,274	608
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 135,490	$ 70,484	$ 68,043
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic	60,934	63,425	55,379
Diluted	61,265	63,740	55,989
Basic earnings per share
Income from continuing operations	$ 2.39	$ 1.12	$ 0.99
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations	$ (0.17)	$ 0.12	$ 0.15
Net income per share — basic	$ 2.21	$ 1.24	$ 1.15
Diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$ 2.37	$ 1.11	$ 0.98
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations	$ (0.17)	$ 0.12	$ 0.15
Net income per share — diluted	$ 2.20	$ 1.23	$ 1.13