Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 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			293
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	29,897	15,617	87,524	53,143
Net Income	29,909	14,727	87,566	52,262
Other comprehensive loss	648	115	(5,791)	(380)
Ending Balance	1,034,373		1,034,373
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			293
Proceeds from stock options exercised, value			3
Restricted stock granted, shares			345
Restricted stock granted, value			3
Restricted stock canceled, shares			(8)
Restricted stock canceled, value			0
Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP), shares			7
Ending Balance	866		866
Ending Balance, shares	72,054		72,054
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			4,938
Tax benefit related to equity compensation			1,883
Stock based compensation expense			1,014
Restricted stock granted, value			(3)
Amortization of restricted stock			4,754
Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP), value			203
Ending Balance	845,019		845,019
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			(107,526)
Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP), value			0
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.			87,524
Ending Balance	244,665		244,665
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 loss			(5,711)
Ending Balance	(3,041)		(3,041)
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			(7)
Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP), value			25
Ending Balance	(53,590)		(53,590)
Ending Balance, shares	14,583		14,583
Noncontrolling Interests
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance			492
Net Income			42
Other comprehensive loss			(80)
Ending Balance	454		454
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			4,941
Tax benefit related to equity compensation			1,883
Stock based compensation expense			1,014
Restricted stock granted, value			0
Restricted stock canceled, value			0
Amortization of restricted stock			4,754
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash			(107,526)
Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP), value			228
Net Income			87,566
Other comprehensive loss			(5,791)
Ending Balance	$ 1,034,373		$ 1,034,373