Summary of Business Organization, Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (Variable Interest Entities) (Details) £ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2011 GBP (£) director £ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 GBP (£)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable interest entity ownership percentage in joint venture		50.00%
Partnership interest share amount | £	£ 100
Units of partnership interest, amount	100
Value Per Partnership Interest Shares | £ / shares	£ 1
Directors appointed to board by each party | director	3
Line of Credit, amount outstanding | $		$ 515,000		$ 485,000
GEO Amey
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Units of partnership interest, amount	50
Line of Credit, amount outstanding		$ 14,800	£ 12,000,000
SACS
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Life term of contract		25 years
Reduction of government guarantee in case of default		80.00%
Investment in joint venture | $		$ 11,800		$ 9,000
GEO UK
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable interest entity ownership percentage in joint venture		50.00%
Units of partnership interest, amount	50
Kensani Corrections
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable interest entity ownership percentage in joint venture		50.00%
Other Noncurrent Assets | GEO Amey
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Due from joint venture, current		$ 4,300	£ 3,500,000