Basis of Presentation (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidation policy

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATES

The Company evaluates its joint ventures and other entities in which it has a variable interest (a “VIE”), generally in the form of investments, loans, guarantees, or equity in order to determine if it has a controlling financial interest and is required to consolidate the entity as a result. The reporting entity with a variable interest that provides the entity with a controlling financial interest in the VIE will have both of the following characteristics: (i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb the losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

The Company consolidates South Texas Local Development Corporation (“STLDC”), a VIE. STLDC was created to finance construction for the development of a 1,904-bed facility in Frio County, Texas. STLDC, the owner of the complex, issued $49.5 million in taxable revenue bonds and has an operating agreement with the Company, which provides the Company with the sole and exclusive right to operate and manage the detention center. The operating agreement and bond indenture require the revenue from the contract to be used to fund the periodic debt service requirements as they become due. The net revenues, if any, after various expenses such as trustee fees, property taxes and insurance premiums are distributed to the Company to cover operating expenses and management fees. The Company is responsible for the entire operations of the facility including the payment of all operating expenses whether or not there are sufficient revenues. The bonds have a 10-year term and are non-recourse to the Company. At the end of the 10-year term of the bonds, title and ownership of the facility transfers from STLDC to the Company. The carrying value of the facility as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $25.7 million and $25.8 million, respectively, and is included in Property and Equipment in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The Company does not consolidate its 50% owned South African joint venture interest in South African Custodial Services Pty. Limited (“SACS”), a VIE. SACS joint venture investors are GEO and Kensani Corrections, Pty. Ltd (an independent third party); each partner owns a 50% share. The Company has determined it is not the primary beneficiary of SACS since it does not have the power to direct the activities of SACS that most significantly impact its performance. As such, the Company's investment in this entity is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. SACS was established and subsequently, in 2001, was awarded a 25-year contract to design, finance and build the Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Centre in Louis Trichardt, South Africa. To fund the construction of the prison SACS obtained long-term financing from its equity partners and lenders, the repayment of which is fully guaranteed by the South African government, except in the event of a default by SACS, in which case the government guarantee is reduced to 80%. The Company's maximum exposure for loss under this contract is limited to its investment in the joint venture of $8.3 million at June 30, 2013 and its guarantees related to SACS that are discussed in Note 11 - Debt.

The Company does not consolidate its 50% owned joint venture in the United Kingdom. In February 2011, The GEO Group Limited, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary in the United Kingdom (“GEO UK”), executed a shareholders agreement (the “Shareholders Agreement”) with Amey Community Limited (“Amey”) and Amey UK PLC (“Amey Guarantor”) to form GEO Amey PECS Limited (“GEOAmey”), a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. GEOAmey was formed by GEO UK and Amey (an independent third party) for the purpose of performing prisoner escort and related custody services in England and Wales. In order to form this private company, GEOAmey issued share capital of £100 divided into 100 shares of £1 each and allocated the shares 50/50 to GEO UK and Amey. GEO UK and Amey each have three directors appointed to the board of directors and neither party has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the performance of GEOAmey. As such, the Company's investment in this entity is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Both parties provide lines of credit of £12 million, or $18.3 million, based on exchange rates in effect as of June 30, 2013, to ensure that GEOAmey can comply with future contractual commitments related to the performance of its operations. As of June 30, 2013, $18.4 million, including accrued interest, was owed to the Company by GEOAmey under the line of credit. GEOAmey commenced operations on August 29, 2011. Refer to Note 11 - Debt for further discussion of the Company's maximum exposure for loss relating to GEOAmey.