Earnings Per Share From Continuing Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 01, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 01, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations	$ 34,219	$ 20,854	$ 57,657	$ 34,610
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(12)	25	(30)	(9)
Net income from continuing operations attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 34,207	$ 20,879	$ 57,627	$ 34,601
Basic earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.:
Weighted average shares outstanding	71,083,000	60,839,000	70,967,000	60,803,000
Per share amount from continuing operations	$ 0.48	$ 0.34	$ 0.81	$ 0.57
Diluted earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.:
Weighted average shares outstanding	71,083,000	60,839,000	70,967,000	60,803,000
Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and restricted stock	524,000	227,000	543,000	181,000
Weighted average shares assuming dilution	71,607,000	61,066,000	71,510,000	60,984,000
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.48	$ 0.34	$ 0.81	$ 0.57
Basic and diluted earnings per share (Textual) [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	0		0
Restricted Stock [Member]
Basic and diluted earnings per share (Textual) [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share		1,642		1,584
Stock Options [Member]
Basic and diluted earnings per share (Textual) [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share		57,937		112,428