Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	$ 493,890
Acquisitions	122,114
Foreign Currency Translation	(67)
Goodwill, end of period	615,937
U.S. Corrections & Detention
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	170,376
Acquisitions	107,398
Foreign Currency Translation	0
Goodwill, end of period	277,774
GEO Care
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	323,047
Acquisitions	14,716
Foreign Currency Translation	0
Goodwill, end of period	337,763
International Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	467
Acquisitions	0
Foreign Currency Translation	(67)
Goodwill, end of period	$ 400