Debt (Guarantees) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) guarantee	Dec. 31, 2012 ZAR	Dec. 31, 2013 CAD	Dec. 31, 2013 ZAR	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 GEO Amey USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 GEO Amey GBP (£)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted		60,000,000
Remaining guarantee under letter of credit	3,300,000	34,800,000
Percentage of amount payable guaranteed by Company	60.00%
Stand by letters of credit provided as security for guarantee		8,400,000
Maximum loan amount under stand by facility to SACS	1,907,000			20,000,000
Potential estimated exposure of tax obligations	2,300,000		2,500,000
Liability related to potential tax exposure	2,000,000				2,200,000
Number of letters of guarantee outstanding under separate international facilities relating to performance guarantees	8
Letters of guarantee outstanding relating to performance guarantees	10,800,000
Variable interest entity ownership percentage in joint venture	50.00%
Lines of credit						12,000,000
Due from affiliate						$ 19,800,000	£ 12,000,000