Business Segments and Geographic Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 379,842,000		$ 369,116,000		$ 1,138,526,000		$ 1,100,331,000
Operating Income:
Total operating income from segments	72,051,000		78,030,000		224,100,000		224,183,000
U.S. Corrections & Detention
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Workers' Compensation Liability	4,500,000				4,500,000
Decrease in Workers' Compensation and General Liability Reserve			800,000				800,000
Revenues:
Revenues	253,414,000		243,955,000		756,229,000		724,665,000
Operating Income:
Total operating income from segments	50,826,000	[1]	58,814,000	[1]	161,550,000	[1]	165,675,000	[1]
GEO Community Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Workers' Compensation Liability	1,700,000		1,300,000		1,700,000		1,300,000
Revenues:
Revenues	76,879,000		72,657,000		225,892,000		217,682,000
Operating Income:
Total operating income from segments	17,128,000	[1]	16,277,000	[1]	53,387,000	[1]	49,620,000	[1]
International Services
Revenues:
Revenues	49,549,000		52,504,000		156,405,000		157,984,000
Operating Income:
Total operating income from segments	$ 4,097,000		$ 2,939,000		$ 9,163,000		$ 8,888,000

[1] In order to estimate workers' compensation and general liability reserves, the Company engages an independent actuary to make a projection of its annual losses based on its actual claim experience. This analysis is performed annually during the third quarter using historical data. As a result of this analysis, the Company increased its reserves by $4.5 million in its U.S. Corrections & Detention segment, and by $1.7 million in its GEO Community Services segment as of September 30, 2013. Also, as a result of the same analysis, the Company decreased its reserves in its U.S. Corrections & Detention Segment by $0.8 million and increased its reserves by $1.3 million in its GEO Community Services segment as of September 30, 2012. These charges to expense are included in the Company's operating expense for all periods presented.