Shareholders' Equity - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 10, 2014	May. 08, 2013
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ (27,461,000)
Current-period other comprehensive (loss) income			(7,249,000)
Ending Balance		$ (34,710,000)	$ (34,710,000)
Maximum common stock value authorized under prospectus supplement					$ 150,000,000	$ 100,000,000
Common Stock sold under prospectus supplement, in shares		1,500,000	0
Issuance of common stock under prospectus supplement		$ 54,724,000	$ 0	$ 54,724,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	[1]		(6,903,000)
Current-period other comprehensive (loss) income	[1]		(4,916,000)
Ending Balance	[1]	(11,819,000)	(11,819,000)
Unrealized (loss)/gain on derivatives, net of tax
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(16,322,000)
Current-period other comprehensive (loss) income			(2,453,000)
Ending Balance		(18,775,000)	(18,775,000)
Pension adjustments, net of tax
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(4,236,000)
Current-period other comprehensive (loss) income			120,000
Ending Balance		$ (4,116,000)	$ (4,116,000)

[1] The foreign currency translation related to noncontrolling interests was not significant at September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014.