Business Segments and Geographic Information (Sources of Revenue) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 599,430	$ 583,530	$ 583,509	$ 564,917	$ 568,977	$ 566,759	$ 577,070	$ 550,614	$ 2,331,386	$ 2,263,420	$ 2,179,490
Detention & Corrections
Revenues:
Revenues									1,746,847	1,633,850	1,532,640
GEO Care
Revenues:
Revenues									580,313	514,166	394,449
International Services
Revenues:
Revenues									253,874	195,806	157,363
Facility Construction and Design
Revenues:
Revenues									$ 4,226	$ 115,404	$ 252,401