Business Segments and Geographic Information - Sources of Revenue (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
GEO Secure Services
Revenues:
Total Revenues									1,782,837	1,833,695	1,746,847
GEO Care
Revenues:
Total Revenues									551,342	614,249	580,313
Facility Construction and Design
Revenues:
Total Revenues									$ 15,919	$ 29,978	$ 4,226