Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 115,197	$ 133,898	$ 77,463
Less: loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(62)	852	1,162
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	115,135	134,750	78,625
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	94,664	91,685	81,548
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	(5,948)	(87,710)	44,368
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium	5,916	3,864	1,745
Stock-based compensation	7,889	6,543	6,113
Loss on extinguishment of debt	20,657	8,462	0
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,136	760	1,785
Loss on divestiture of RTS-non-cash	0	22,566	0
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(6,265)	(3,578)	(1,563)
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	(2,197)	(621)	(465)
Release of reserve for uncertain tax positions	(5,701)	0	0
Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment and assets held for sale	959	6,319	558
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	3,153	0	9,911
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	(27,239)	44,737	(20,128)
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(9,970)	27,410	(16,756)
Cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations	192,189	255,187	185,741
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities - discontinued operations	0	9,053	3,371
Net cash provided by operating activities	192,189	264,240	189,112
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of BI, cash consideration, net of cash acquired	0	0	(409,607)
Acquisition of ownership interests in MCF	0	(35,154)	0
Proceeds from RTS divestiture	0	33,253	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	205	65	1,483
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	1,969	5,641	7,121
Net working capital adjustment from RTS divestiture	(996)	0	0
Change in restricted cash and investments	17,412	51,189	(9,503)
Capital expenditures	(117,566)	(107,549)	(222,033)
Cash used in investing activities - continuing operations	(98,976)	(52,555)	(632,539)
Cash used in investing activities - discontinued operations	0	(2,761)	(3,002)
Net cash used in investing activities	(98,976)	(55,316)	(635,541)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(1,134,544)	(456,485)	(289,832)
Proceeds from long term debt	1,238,000	358,000	835,395
Termination of interest rate swap agreements	3,974	0	0
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	0	(5,758)	(4,012)
Debt issuance costs - deferred	(23,834)	(1,398)	(15,462)
Debt issuance fees	(13,421)	(14,861)	0
Payments for purchase of treasury shares	0	(8,666)	(74,982)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	5,425	9,276	2,446
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	2,197	621	465
Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock in connection with ESPP	319	460	0
Payment for retirement of common stock	0	(1,036)	0
Cash dividends paid	(147,156)	(102,435)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(69,040)	(222,282)	454,018
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	(3,803)	1,735	(2,299)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	20,370	(11,623)	5,290
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	31,755	43,378	38,088
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	52,125	31,755	43,378
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes	16,697	2,997	10,494
Interest	69,304	73,901	60,948
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Deferred tax assets recorded in equity in connection with MCF Transaction	0	10,015	0
Stock portion of Special Dividend	0	274,402	0
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 2,148	$ 1,959	$ 26,322