Business Segments and Geographic Information - Schedule of Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenues:
Total Revenues	$ 578,116	$ 579,136	$ 587,829	$ 605,017	$ 621,710	$ 631,579	$ 613,966	$ 610,667	$ 2,350,098	$ 2,477,922	$ 2,331,386
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									134,680	130,825	126,434
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									415,946	486,339	449,180
General and Administrative Expenses									(193,372)	(185,926)	(184,515)
Operating Income	$ 38,013	$ 64,462	$ 63,513	$ 56,586	$ 66,302	$ 78,159	$ 81,175	$ 74,777	222,574	300,413	264,665
U.S. Secure Services
Revenues:
Total Revenues									1,571,216	1,601,679	1,492,973
GEO Care
Revenues:
Total Revenues									551,342	614,249	580,313
International Services
Revenues:
Total Revenues									211,621	232,016	253,874
Facility Construction and Design
Revenues:
Total Revenues									15,919	29,978	4,226
Operating Segments
Revenues:
Total Revenues									2,350,098	2,477,922	2,331,386
Capital Expenditures									104,465	115,542	195,666
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									415,946	486,339	449,180
Operating Segments | U.S. Secure Services
Revenues:
Total Revenues									1,571,216	1,601,679	1,492,973
Capital Expenditures									58,410	69,074	163,208
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									298,952	322,506	297,453
Operating Segments | GEO Care
Revenues:
Total Revenues									551,342	614,249	580,313
Capital Expenditures									44,913	45,000	30,136
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									97,330	147,036	138,911
Operating Segments | International Services
Revenues:
Total Revenues									211,621	232,016	253,874
Capital Expenditures									1,142	1,468	2,322
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									19,610	16,723	12,816
Operating Segments | Facility Construction and Design
Revenues:
Total Revenues									15,919	29,978	4,226
Operating Income:
Operating income from segments									54	74
Segment Reconciling Items
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									134,680	130,825	126,434
Operating Income:
General and Administrative Expenses									(193,372)	(185,926)	(184,515)
Segment Reconciling Items | U.S. Secure Services
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									80,702	78,974	76,801
Segment Reconciling Items | GEO Care
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									51,832	49,781	47,546
Segment Reconciling Items | International Services
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization									$ 2,146	$ 2,070	$ 2,087