Business Segments and Geographic Information (Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment assets	$ 3,503,342				$ 3,002,208				$ 3,503,342	$ 3,002,208
Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments
Operating Income	66,745	$ 63,031	$ 53,281	$ 52,672	61,954	$ 63,318	$ 60,889	$ 48,570	235,729	234,731	$ 185,484
Unallocated amounts:
General and administrative expense									(137,040)	(115,018)	(117,061)
Net interest expense									(94,558)	(82,621)	(79,680)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt									0	0	(20,657)
Income before income taxes, equity in earnings of affiliates and discontinued operations									141,171	152,110	85,147
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment assets	3,379,666				2,905,194				3,379,666	2,905,194
Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments
Total operating income from segments									372,769	349,749	302,545
Operating Segments | U.S. Corrections and Detention
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment assets	2,417,651				2,075,216				2,417,651	2,075,216
Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments
Total operating income from segments									281,945	263,027	217,918
Operating Segments | GEO Community Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment assets	722,248				675,166				722,248	675,166
Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments
Total operating income from segments									82,806	80,152	71,279
Operating Segments | International Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment assets	$ 43,589				$ 71,788				43,589	71,788
Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments
Total operating income from segments									$ 7,666	$ 6,130	$ 13,348