Business Segments and Geographic Information - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 610,667	$ 564,917
Operating Income:
Operating income	74,777	64,450
General and Administrative Expenses	(46,424)	(41,832)
Operating Segments
Revenues:
Revenues	610,667	564,917
Operating Income:
Operating income	121,201	106,282
Operating Segments | U.S. Corrections & Detention
Revenues:
Revenues	390,510	358,681
Operating Income:
Operating income	76,924	69,188
Operating Segments | GEO Care
Revenues:
Revenues	153,843	140,078
Operating Income:
Operating income	38,538	31,692
Operating Segments | International Services
Revenues:
Revenues	64,224	66,158
Operating Income:
Operating income	5,739	5,402
Operating Segments | Facility Construction and Design
Revenues:
Revenues	2,090	0
Operating Income:
Operating income	0	0
Segment Reconciling Items
Operating Income:
General and Administrative Expenses	$ (46,424)	$ (41,832)