Business Segments and Geographic Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues:
Revenues									$ 2,263,420	$ 2,179,490	$ 1,843,307
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									124,297	114,916	106,756
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									438,628	414,293	372,769
General and administrative expense									(190,343)	(148,709)	(137,040)
Operating Income	$ 66,458	$ 62,902	$ 54,553	$ 64,372	$ 68,008	$ 72,452	$ 65,957	$ 59,167	248,285	265,584	235,729
GEO Community Services
Revenues:
Revenues									514,166	394,449	340,918
Facility Constructions and Design
Revenues:
Revenues									115,404	252,401	107,047
Operating Segments
Revenues:
Revenues									2,263,420	2,179,490	1,843,307
Capital Expenditures									148,406	81,565	117,581
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									438,628	414,293	372,769
Operating Segments | U.S. Corrections & Detention
Revenues:
Revenues									1,438,044	1,375,277	1,240,440
Capital Expenditures									117,186	40,764	76,070
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									302,488	296,078	281,945
Operating Segments | GEO Community Services
Revenues:
Revenues									514,166	394,449	340,918
Capital Expenditures									24,263	35,001	39,523
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									123,525	111,780	82,806
Operating Segments | International Services
Revenues:
Revenues									195,806	157,363	154,902
Capital Expenditures									6,957	5,800	1,988
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									14,235	5,809	7,666
Operating Segments | Facility Constructions and Design
Revenues:
Revenues									115,404	252,401	107,047
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									(1,620)	626	352
Segment Reconciling Items
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									124,297	114,916	106,756
Operating Income:
General and administrative expense									(190,343)	(148,709)	(137,040)
Segment Reconciling Items | U.S. Corrections & Detention
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									75,276	74,154	70,486
Segment Reconciling Items | GEO Community Services
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									47,103	38,687	33,582
Segment Reconciling Items | International Services
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									$ 1,918	$ 2,075	$ 2,688