Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012	Jan. 02, 2011
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss):	$ 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
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and Amortization	91,685	81,548	44,365
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	(87,710)	44,368	18,359
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium	3,864	1,745	3,209
Stock-based compensation	6,988	6,113	4,639
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	8,462	0	7,933
Provision for doubtful accounts	760	1,785	815
Loss on divestiture of RTS-non-cash	22,566	0	0
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(3,578)	(1,563)	(4,218)
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	(621)	(465)	(3,926)
Loss (gain) on sale/disposal of property and equipment and assets held for sale	6,319	558	(646)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	0	9,911	0
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	44,292	(20,128)	(11,764)
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	27,410	(16,756)	3,238
Cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations	255,187	185,741	125,472
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities - discontinued operations	9,053	3,371	4,418
Net cash provided by operating activities	264,240	189,112	129,890
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of BI and Cornell, cash consideration, net of cash acquired	0	(409,607)	(260,255)
Acquisition of ownership interests in MCF	(35,154)	0	0
Proceeds from RTS divestiture	33,253	0	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	65	1,483	480
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	5,641	7,121	0
Change in restricted cash and investments	51,189	(9,503)	(11,184)
Capital expenditures	(107,549)	(222,033)	(94,691)
Cash used in investing activities - continuing operations	(52,555)	(632,539)	(365,650)
Cash used in investing activities - discontinued operations	(2,761)	(3,002)	(2,611)
Net cash used in investing activities	(55,316)	(635,541)	(368,261)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(456,485)	(289,832)	(397,445)
Proceeds from long term debt	358,000	835,395	726,000
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(5,758)	(4,012)	0
Debt issuance costs	(1,398)	(15,462)	(8,400)
Payment of make-whole provision and other fees for early extinguishment of debt	(14,861)	0	0
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	621	465	3,926
Payments for purchase of treasury shares	(8,666)	(74,982)	(80,000)
Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock in connection with ESPP	460	0	0
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	9,276	2,446	6,695
Payment for retirement of common stock	1,036	0	7,078
Cash dividends paid	(102,435)	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(222,282)	454,018	243,698
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	1,735	(2,299)	4,169
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(11,623)	5,290	9,496
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	43,378	38,088	28,592
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	31,755	43,378	38,088
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes	2,997	10,494	34,475
Interest	73,901	60,948	36,310
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Deferred tax assets recorded in equity in connection with MCF Transaction	10,015		0
Stock portion of Special Dividend	274,402		0
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 1,959	$ 26,322	$ 11,237