Business Segments and Geographic Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jul. 01, 2012	Apr. 01, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012	Oct. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2011	Apr. 03, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012	Jan. 02, 2011
Revenues:
Revenues									$ 1,479,062	$ 1,407,172	$ 1,084,592
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									91,685	81,548	44,365
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									298,145	289,614	228,460
General and Administrative Expenses									(113,792)	(110,015)	(101,558)
Operating Income	39,313	51,602	52,941	40,497	47,298	47,265	46,298	38,738	184,353	179,599	126,902
Total segment assets	2,839,194				3,049,923				2,839,194	3,049,923
U.S. Corrections and Detention
Revenues:
Revenues									975,445	925,695	805,857
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									62,587	55,208	39,417
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									222,703	215,406	198,837
Total segment assets	1,967,226				2,022,600				1,967,226	2,022,600
GEO Community Services
Revenues:
Revenues									291,891	280,080	76,913
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									26,738	24,271	3,246
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									65,401	61,270	15,877
Total segment assets	673,397				688,240				673,397	688,240
International Services
Revenues:
Revenues									211,726	201,397	178,567
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									2,360	2,069	1,702
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									10,041	12,938	11,364
Total segment assets	97,584				93,732				97,584	93,732
Facility Constructions and Design
Revenues:
Revenues									0	0	23,255
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									0	0	2,382
Total segment assets	0				157				0	157
Operating Segments
Operating Income:
Operating Income									298,145	289,614	228,460
Reportable Segment [Member]
Operating Income:
Total segment assets	$ 2,738,207				$ 2,804,729				$ 2,738,207	$ 2,804,729