Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012 U.S. Corrections and Detention	Jan. 01, 2012 U.S. Corrections and Detention	Jan. 02, 2011 U.S. Corrections and Detention	Dec. 31, 2012 International Services	Jan. 01, 2012 International Services	Jan. 01, 2012 GEO Community Services	Dec. 31, 2012 GEO Community Services
Changes in the Company's goodwill balances
Balance as of January 2, 2011	$ 490,296,000	$ 218,824,000	$ 170,376,000	$ 170,376,000	$ 170,376,000	$ 761,000	$ 762,000	$ 47,686,000	$ 319,159,000
Acquisitions		271,473,000						271,473,000
Goodwill Translation Adjustment	12,000	(1,000)				12,000	(1,000)
Balance as of January 1, 2012	$ 490,308,000	$ 490,296,000	$ 170,376,000	$ 170,376,000	$ 170,376,000	$ 773,000	$ 761,000	$ 319,159,000	$ 319,159,000