Business Segments and Geographic Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Revenues									$ 2,179,490	$ 1,843,307	$ 1,691,620
Capital Expenditures									81,565	117,581	114,224
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									114,916	106,756	96,171
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									414,293	372,769	349,749
General and administrative expense									(148,709)	(137,040)	(115,018)
Operating Income	$ 68,008	$ 72,452	$ 65,957	$ 59,167	$ 66,745	$ 63,031	$ 53,281	$ 52,672	265,584	235,729	234,731
GEO Community Services
Revenues:
Revenues									394,449	340,918	329,253
Facility Constructions and Design
Revenues:
Revenues									252,401	107,047	55,978
Operating Segments
Revenues:
Revenues									2,179,490	1,843,307	1,691,620
Capital Expenditures									81,565	117,581	114,224
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									414,293	372,769	349,749
Operating Segments | U.S. Corrections & Detention
Revenues:
Revenues									1,375,277	1,240,440	1,108,397
Capital Expenditures									40,764	76,070	74,044
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									296,078	281,945	263,027
Operating Segments | GEO Community Services
Revenues:
Revenues									394,449	340,918	329,253
Capital Expenditures									35,001	39,523	36,747
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									111,780	82,806	80,152
Operating Segments | International Services
Revenues:
Revenues									157,363	154,902	197,992
Capital Expenditures									5,800	1,988	3,433
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									5,809	7,666	6,130
Operating Segments | Facility Constructions and Design
Revenues:
Revenues									252,401	107,047	55,978
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									626	352	440
Segment Reconciling Items
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									114,916	106,756	96,171
Operating Income:
General and administrative expense									(148,709)	(137,040)	(115,018)
Segment Reconciling Items | U.S. Corrections & Detention
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									74,154	70,486	63,690
Segment Reconciling Items | GEO Community Services
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									38,687	33,582	29,766
Segment Reconciling Items | International Services
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									$ 2,075	$ 2,688	$ 2,715