Business Segments and Geographic Information (Sources of Revenue) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 2,179,490	$ 1,843,307	$ 1,691,620
Detention & Corrections
Revenues:
Revenues	1,532,640	1,395,342	1,306,389
GEO Community Services
Revenues:
Revenues	394,449	340,918	329,253
Facility Constructions and Design
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 252,401	$ 107,047	$ 55,978