Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 469,866	$ 457,900	$ 1,343,181	$ 1,263,880
Operating expenses	345,966	342,216	997,812	934,197
Depreciation and amortization	27,127	24,079	78,628	71,969
General and administrative expenses	33,742	28,287	97,764	84,937
Operating income	63,031	63,318	168,977	172,777
Interest income	2,992	1,048	7,933	2,604
Interest expense	(27,314)	(21,408)	(78,610)	(62,662)
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	38,709	42,958	98,300	112,719
Provision for income taxes	1,758	5,537	6,954	11,062
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision of $583, $711, $1,712 and $1,914, respectively	1,340	1,544	3,949	4,202
Net income	38,291	38,965	95,295	105,859
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	21	26	79	20
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 38,312	$ 38,991	$ 95,374	$ 105,879
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	73,757	72,380	73,658	71,862
Diluted (in shares)	73,919	72,637	73,906	72,130
Basic:
Income per common share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.52	$ 0.54	$ 1.29	$ 1.47
Diluted:
Income per common share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. - diluted (in dollars per share)	0.52	0.54	1.29	1.47
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.62	$ 0.57	$ 1.86	$ 1.71