Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jul. 01, 2012		Apr. 01, 2012		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Jan. 01, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 383,548	$ 379,842	$ 381,653	$ 377,031	$ 378,731	[1]	$ 369,115		$ 371,174		$ 360,042		$ 1,522,074		$ 1,479,062		$ 1,407,172
Operating Expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization)													1,124,865		1,089,232		1,036,010
Depreciation and Amortization													94,664		91,685		81,548
General and administrative expenses													117,061		113,792		110,015
Operating Income	48,009	44,829	51,387	41,259	39,313	[1]	51,602	[1]	52,941	[1]	40,497	[1]	185,484		184,353		179,599
Interest Income													3,324		6,716		7,032
Interest Expense													(83,004)		(82,189)		(75,378)
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt													(20,657)		(8,462)		0
Income before income taxes, equity in earnings of affiliates, and discontinued operations													85,147		100,418		111,253
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes													(26,050)		(40,562)		43,172
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates, net of income tax provision of $2,389, $1,660 and $2,406													6,265		3,578		1,563
Income from Continuing Operations	27,631	32,174	34,219	23,438	95,413	[1]	14,532		20,858		13,755		117,462		144,558		69,644
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $(7,805), and $4,753	0	(2,265)	0	0	(13,777)	[1]	194	[1]	1,619	[1]	1,304	[1]	(2,265)		(10,660)		7,819
Net Income	27,631	29,909	34,219	23,438	81,636	[1]	14,727		22,476		15,059		115,197		133,898		77,463
Less: loss attributable to noncontrolling interests													(62)		852		1,162
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 27,611	$ 29,897	$ 34,207	$ 23,420	$ 81,608	[1]	$ 15,616		$ 22,501		$ 15,025		$ 115,135		$ 134,750		$ 78,625
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic													71,116		60,934		63,425
Diluted													71,605		61,265		63,740
Basic earnings per share
Income from continuing operations	$ 0.39	$ 0.45	$ 0.48	$ 0.33	$ 1.56	[1]	$ 0.25		$ 0.34		$ 0.23		$ 1.65	[2]	$ 2.39	[2]	$ 1.12	[2]
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ (0.03)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.23)	[1]	$ 0.00		$ 0.03		$ 0.02		$ (0.03)	[2]	$ (0.17)	[2]	$ 0.12	[2]
Net income per share — basic	$ 0.39	$ 0.42	$ 0.48	$ 0.33	$ 1.33	[1]	$ 0.26		$ 0.37		$ 0.25		$ 1.62	[2]	$ 2.21	[2]	$ 1.24	[2]
Diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$ 0.38	$ 0.45	$ 0.48	$ 0.33	$ 1.55	[1]	$ 0.25		$ 0.34		$ 0.23		$ 1.64	[2]	$ 2.37	[2]	$ 1.11	[2]
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ (0.03)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.22)	[1]	$ 0.00		$ 0.03		$ 0.02		$ (0.03)	[2]	$ (0.17)	[2]	$ 0.12	[2]
Net income per share — diluted	$ 0.38	$ 0.42	$ 0.48	$ 0.33	$ 1.32	[1]	$ 0.25		$ 0.37		$ 0.25		$ 1.61	[2]	$ 2.20	[2]	$ 1.23	[2]

[1] In the Fourth Quarter of 2012, the Company completed a corporate restructuring in order to operate as a REIT effective January 1, 2013. In connection with the REIT conversion, the Company divested one of its operating segments, RTS, and recorded a loss of $14.6 million, net of tax. Refer to Note 2 - Discontinued Operations for additional information. Also, as a result of the REIT restructuring, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $79.0 million related to the reversal of certain net deferred tax liabilities. Refer to Note 17 - Income Taxes for additional information.

[2] Note that earnings per share tables may contain summation differences due to rounding.