Business Segments and Geographic Information (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
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									126,434	124,297	114,916
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									449,180	438,628	414,293
General and administrative expense									(184,515)	(190,343)	(148,709)
Operating Income	$ 63,484	$ 69,780	$ 66,951	$ 64,450	$ 66,458	$ 62,902	$ 54,553	$ 64,372	264,665	248,285	265,584
U.S. Corrections & Detention
Revenues:
Revenues									1,492,973	1,438,044	1,375,277
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
Operating Segments
Revenues:
Revenues									2,331,386	2,263,420	2,179,490
Capital Expenditures									195,666	148,406	81,565
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									449,180	438,628	414,293
Operating Segments | U.S. Corrections & Detention
Revenues:
Revenues									1,492,973	1,438,044	1,375,277
Capital Expenditures									163,208	117,186	40,764
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									297,453	302,488	296,078
Operating Segments | GEO Care
Revenues:
Revenues									580,313	514,166	394,449
Capital Expenditures									30,136	24,263	35,001
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									138,911	123,525	111,780
Operating Segments | International Services
Revenues:
Revenues									253,874	195,806	157,363
Capital Expenditures									2,322	6,957	5,800
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									12,816	14,235	5,809
Operating Segments | Facility Construction and Design
Revenues:
Revenues									4,226	115,404	252,401
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									0	(1,620)	626
Segment Reconciling Items
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									126,434	124,297	114,916
Operating Income:
General and administrative expense									(184,515)	(190,343)	(148,709)
Segment Reconciling Items | U.S. Corrections & Detention
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									76,801	75,276	74,154
Segment Reconciling Items | GEO Care
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									47,546	47,103	38,687
Segment Reconciling Items | International Services
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									$ 2,087	$ 1,918	$ 2,075