Summary of Business Organization, Operations and Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition and Facility Construction and Design (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
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
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
U.S. Secure Services
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									1,571,216	1,601,679	1,492,973
GEO Care
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									551,342	614,249	580,313
International
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									211,621	232,016	253,874
Facility Construction and Design
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									15,919	29,978	4,226
Owned and Leased: Secure Services
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									1,198,881	1,228,299	1,110,749
Owned and Leased: Secure Services | U.S. Secure Services
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									1,198,881	1,228,299	1,110,749
Owned and Leased: Community-based
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									145,491	176,001	170,805
Owned and Leased: Community-based | GEO Care
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									145,491	176,001	170,805
Owned and Leased: Youth Services
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									75,792	87,189	91,824
Owned and Leased: Youth Services | GEO Care
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									75,792	87,189	91,824
Managed Only
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									589,469	610,919	641,079
Managed Only | U.S. Secure Services
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									372,335	373,380	382,224
Managed Only | GEO Care
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									5,513	5,523	4,981
Managed Only | International
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									211,621	232,016	253,874
Facility Construction and Design
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									15,919	29,978	4,226
Facility Construction and Design | Facility Construction and Design
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									15,919	29,978	4,226
Non-residential Services and Other
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									324,546	345,536	312,703
Non-residential Services and Other | GEO Care
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									$ 324,546	$ 345,536	$ 312,703