Business Segments and Geographic Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, 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
Revenues:
Revenues													$ 1,522,074	$ 1,479,062	$ 1,407,172
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization													94,664	91,685	81,548
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments													302,545	298,145	289,614
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
Total segment assets	2,889,364				2,839,194								2,889,364	2,839,194
U.S. Corrections and Detention
Revenues:
Revenues													1,011,818	974,780	925,098
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization													62,112	62,578	55,208
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments													217,918	222,976	215,281
GEO Community Services
Revenues:
Revenues													302,094	291,891	280,080
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization													29,989	26,738	24,271
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments													71,279	65,401	61,270
International Services
Revenues:
Revenues													208,162	212,391	201,994
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization													2,563	2,369	2,069
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments													13,348	9,768	13,063
Operating Segments
Operating Income:
Operating Income													302,545	298,145	289,614
Total segment assets	2,781,615				2,738,207								2,781,615	2,738,207
Operating Segments
Operating Income:
Total segment assets	2,781,615				2,738,207								2,781,615	2,738,207
Operating Segments | U.S. Corrections and Detention
Operating Income:
Total segment assets	2,048,882				1,967,226								2,048,882	1,967,226
Operating Segments | GEO Community Services
Operating Income:
Total segment assets	654,352				673,397								654,352	673,397
Operating Segments | International Services
Operating Income:
Total segment assets	$ 78,381				$ 97,584								$ 78,381	$ 97,584

[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.