Business Segments and Geographic Information (Details 1) (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
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment assets	$ 2,839,194				$ 3,049,923				$ 2,839,194	$ 3,049,923
Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments
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 operating income from segments									298,145	289,614	228,460
Unallocated Amount:
General and Administrative Expenses									(113,792)	(110,015)	(101,558)
Interest Income (Expense), Net									(75,473)	(68,346)	(34,452)
Loss on early 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
Us Corrections and Detention
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment assets	1,967,226				2,022,600				1,967,226	2,022,600
Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments
Total operating income from segments									222,703	215,406	198,837
Operating Segments
Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments
Operating Income									298,145	289,614	228,460
GEO Community Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment assets	673,397				688,240				673,397	688,240
Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments
Total operating income from segments									65,401	61,270	15,877
International Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment assets	97,584				93,732				97,584	93,732
Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments
Total operating income from segments									10,041	12,938	11,364
Facility Constructions and Design
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment assets	0				157				0	157
Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments
Total operating income from segments									$ 0	$ 0	$ 2,382