Business Segments and Geographic Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 550,614	$ 510,185
Operating Income:
Operating income	64,372	59,167
U.S. Corrections & Detention
Revenues:
Revenues	347,931	338,370
Operating Income:
Operating income	74,896	66,919
GEO Care
Revenues:
Revenues	103,766	93,414
Operating Income:
Operating income	28,826	23,971
International Services
Revenues:
Revenues	41,692	37,555
Operating Income:
Operating income	2,886	1,762
Facility Construction & Design
Revenues:
Revenues	57,225	40,846
Operating Income:
Operating income	350	576
Operating Segments
Operating Income:
Operating income	$ 106,958	$ 93,228