XML 12 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.8.0.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Nov. 01, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]    
Entity Registrant Name GEO GROUP INC  
Entity Central Index Key 0000923796  
Document Type 10-Q  
Trading Symbol GEO  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2017  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2017  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   124,070,516