Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Credit Agreement On April 3, 2013, GEO executed an amended and restated credit agreement by and among GEO and GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc., as Borrowers, BNP Paribas, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders who are, or may from time to time become, a party thereto (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement evidences a Credit Facility (the “Credit Facility”) consisting of a $300 million Term Loan (the “New Term Loan B”) initially bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.50% (with a LIBOR floor of 0.75%), and a $700 million revolving credit facility (the “New Revolver”) initially bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.50% (with no LIBOR floor). The new Revolver is scheduled to mature on April 3, 2018 and the New Term Loan B is scheduled to mature on April 3, 2020. Employment Agreement Amendment On April 29, 2013, GEO and Mr. George C. Zoley, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, entered into the First Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement (the “Amendment”). The Amendment modifies Mr. Zoley’s employment agreement by eliminating the automatic cost of living increase applicable to his annual base salary and instead provides that his annual base salary may be increased in the sole discretion of the Board for cost of living increases to be determined by the Board. Additionally, the Amendment modifies the termination payment Mr. Zoley would receive in the event of a termination of employment other than a termination by GEO for cause (as defined in the Third Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement) or a termination by Mr. Zoley without good reason (as defined in the Third Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement) from three times the amount of Mr. Zoley’s base salary plus annual bonus to two times the amount of Mr. Zoley’s base salary plus annual bonus. Restricted Stock Awards On May 6, 2013, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors resolved to grant approximately 300 thousand shares of restricted stock to certain employees of the Company to be effective June 1 2013. Dividend On May 7, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share of common stock, which is to be paid on June 3, 2013 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 20, 2013. Facility Acquisition On May 7, 2013 the Company executed a definitive agreement for the purchase of the 1,287 bed Joe Corley Detention Center (the "Center") located in Montgomery County, Texas for a purchase price of approximately $65 million. The Center is currently managed by the Company under a managed-only contract with Montgomery County. The transaction is expected to close during the Second Quarter of 2013. Prospectus Supplement On May 8, 2013, the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a prospectus supplement related to the offer and sale from time to time of the Company's common stock at an aggregate offering price of up to $100 million through sales agents. Sales of shares of the Company's common stock under this prospectus supplement and equity distribution agreement entered into with the sales agents, if any, may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be "at the market" offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Credit Agreement

On April 3, 2013, GEO executed an amended and restated credit agreement by and among GEO and GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc., as Borrowers, BNP Paribas, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders who are, or may from time to time become, a party thereto (the “Credit Agreement”).

The Credit Agreement evidences a Credit Facility (the “Credit Facility”) consisting of a $300 million Term Loan (the “New Term Loan B”) initially bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.50% (with a LIBOR floor of 0.75%), and a $700 million revolving credit facility (the “New Revolver”) initially bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.50% (with no LIBOR floor). The new Revolver is scheduled to mature on April 3, 2018 and the New Term Loan B is scheduled to mature on April 3, 2020.

Employment Agreement Amendment

On April 29, 2013, GEO and Mr. George C. Zoley, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, entered into the First Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement (the “Amendment”). The Amendment modifies Mr. Zoley’s employment agreement by eliminating the automatic cost of living increase applicable to his annual base salary and instead provides that his annual base salary may be increased in the sole discretion of the Board for cost of living increases to be determined by the Board. Additionally, the Amendment modifies the termination payment Mr. Zoley would receive in the event of a termination of employment other than a termination by GEO for cause (as defined in the Third Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement) or a termination by Mr. Zoley without good reason (as defined in the Third Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement) from three times the amount of Mr. Zoley’s base salary plus annual bonus to two times the amount of Mr. Zoley’s base salary plus annual bonus.

Restricted Stock Awards

On May 6, 2013, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors resolved to grant approximately 300 thousand shares of restricted stock to certain employees of the Company to be effective June 1 2013.

Dividend

On May 7, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share of common stock, which is to be paid on June 3, 2013 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 20, 2013.

Facility Acquisition

On May 7, 2013 the Company executed a definitive agreement for the purchase of the 1,287 bed Joe Corley Detention Center (the "Center") located in Montgomery County, Texas for a purchase price of approximately $65 million. The Center is currently managed by the Company under a managed-only contract with Montgomery County. The transaction is expected to close during the Second Quarter of 2013.

Prospectus Supplement

On May 8, 2013, the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a prospectus supplement related to the offer and sale from time to time of the Company's common stock at an aggregate offering price of up to $100 million through sales agents. Sales of shares of the Company's common stock under this prospectus supplement and equity distribution agreement entered into with the sales agents, if any, may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be "at the market" offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933.