Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 01, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 01, 2012
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			234
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	34,207	22,501	57,627	37,526
Net Income	34,219	22,476	57,657	37,535
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(5,260)	(2,469)	(6,440)	(482)
Ending Balance	1,035,884		1,035,884
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			234
Proceeds from stock options exercised, value			2
Restricted stock granted, shares			345
Restricted stock granted			3
Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP), shares			5
Ending Balance	865		865
Ending Balance, shares	72,001		72,001
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			4,080
Tax provision related to equity compensation			1,308
Stock based compensation expense			705
Restricted stock granted			(3)
Amortization of restricted stock			2,640
Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP), value			137
Ending Balance	841,097		841,097
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			(71,527)
Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP), value			0
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.			57,627
Ending Balance	250,767		250,767
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)			(6,368)
Ending Balance	(3,698)		(3,698)
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			(5)
Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP), value			18
Ending Balance	(53,597)		(53,597)
Ending Balance, shares	14,585		14,585
Noncontrolling Interests
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance			492
Net Income			30
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(72)
Ending Balance	450		450
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			4,082
Tax provision related to equity compensation			1,308
Stock based compensation expense			705
Restricted stock granted			0
Amortization of restricted stock			2,640
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash			(71,527)
Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP), value			155
Net Income			57,657
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(6,440)
Ending Balance	$ 1,035,884		$ 1,035,884