Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Apr. 01, 2012
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cash dividend	$ 0.50
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance	$ 1,047,304
Proceeds from stock options exercised, shares	(181)
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	23,420	15,025
Net income	23,438	15,059
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,180)	1,987
Ending Balance	1,039,778
Common shares
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance	860
Beginning Balance, Shares	71,417
Proceeds from stock options exercised, shares	181
Proceeds from stock options exercised, value	2
Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP), shares	2
Ending Balance	862
Ending Balance, Shares	71,600
Additional Paid-in Capital
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance	832,230
Proceeds from stock options exercised, value	3,047
Tax provision related to equity compensation	1,127
Stock based compensation expense	419
Amortization of restricted stock	1,266
Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP), value	59
Ending Balance	838,148
Earnings in Excess of Distributions
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance	264,667
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	(35,711)
Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP), value	0
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	23,420
Ending Balance	252,376
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance	2,670
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,139)
Ending Balance	1,531
Treasury shares
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance	(53,615)
Beginning Balance, Shares	14,590
Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP), shares	(2)
Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP), value	7
Ending Balance	(53,608)
Ending Balance, Shares	14,588
Noncontrolling Interests
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance	492
Net income	18
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(41)
Ending Balance	469
Stockholders' Equity, Total
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance	1,047,304
Proceeds from stock options exercised, value	3,049
Tax provision related to equity compensation	1,127
Stock based compensation expense	419
Amortization of restricted stock	1,266
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	(35,711)
Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP), value	66
Net income	23,438
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,180)
Ending Balance	$ 1,039,778