Business Segments and Geographic Information - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 613,966	$ 583,509	$ 1,224,633	$ 1,148,426
Operating Income:
Operating income	81,175	66,951	155,952	131,401
General and Administrative Expenses	(47,271)	(47,448)	(93,695)	(89,280)
Operating Segments
Revenues:
Revenues	613,966	583,509	1,224,633	1,148,426
Operating Income:
Operating income	128,446	114,399	249,647	220,681
Operating Segments | GEO Secure Services
Revenues:
Revenues	399,475	368,989	789,985	727,670
Operating Income:
Operating income	83,865	77,318	160,789	146,506
Operating Segments | GEO Care
Revenues:
Revenues	155,507	149,928	309,350	290,006
Operating Income:
Operating income	41,661	35,139	80,199	66,831
Operating Segments | International Services
Revenues:
Revenues	54,388	64,592	118,612	130,750
Operating Income:
Operating income	2,920	1,942	8,659	7,344
Operating Segments | Facility Construction and Design
Revenues:
Revenues	4,596	0	6,686	0
Operating Income:
Operating income	0	0	0	0
Segment Reconciling Items
Operating Income:
General and Administrative Expenses	$ (47,271)	$ (47,448)	$ (93,695)	$ (89,280)