Business Segments and Geographic Information - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 631,579	$ 583,530	$ 1,856,212	$ 1,731,956
Operating Income:
Operating income	78,159	69,780	234,111	201,181
General and Administrative Expenses	(48,488)	(47,647)	(142,183)	(136,927)
Operating Segments
Revenues:
Revenues	631,579	583,530	1,856,212	1,731,956
Operating Income:
Operating income	126,647	117,427	376,294	338,108
Operating Segments | GEO Secure Services
Revenues:
Revenues	411,078	379,351	1,201,063	1,107,016
Operating Income:
Operating income	85,085	77,885	248,462	224,386
Operating Segments | GEO Care
Revenues:
Revenues	153,422	141,808	462,772	431,819
Operating Income:
Operating income	36,325	35,959	113,936	102,795
Operating Segments | International Services
Revenues:
Revenues	57,634	62,371	176,246	193,121
Operating Income:
Operating income	5,211	3,583	13,870	10,927
Operating Segments | Facility Construction and Design
Revenues:
Revenues	9,445	0	16,131	0
Operating Income:
Operating income	26	0	26	0
Segment Reconciling Items
Operating Income:
General and Administrative Expenses	$ (48,488)	$ (47,647)	$ (142,183)	$ (136,927)