The GEO Group, Inc. (GEO) 10-Q 6 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	2-May-14
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'GEO GROUP INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000923796	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Trading Symbol	'GEO	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	72,590,923

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues	$393,137	$377,031
Operating expenses	291,923	280,797
Depreciation and amortization	24,142	22,935
General and administrative expenses	28,502	32,040
Operating income	48,570	41,259
Interest income	732	1,184
Interest expense	-20,652	-19,341
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	28,650	23,102
Provison for income taxes	2,138	881
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision of $549 and $477, respectively	1,484	1,217
Net income	27,996	23,438
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-6	-18
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$27,990	$23,420
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:	'	'
Basic (in shares)	71,449	70,850
Diluted (in shares)	71,895	71,412
Basic:	'	'
Income per common share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. - basic (in dollars per share)	$0.39	$0.33
Diluted:	'	'
Income per common share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. - diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.39	$0.33

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope1

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'
Income tax provision on equity in earnings of affiliates	$549	$477

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Net income	$27,996	$23,438
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,000	-1,332
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax benefit of $12 and $25, respectively	19	40
Unrealized gain on derivative instrument classified as cash flow hedge, net of tax provision of $12 and $62, respectively	27	112
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1,046	-1,180
Total comprehensive income	29,042	22,258
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	-2	23
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$29,040	$22,281

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Tax provision on defined benefit pension plans	$12	$25
Tax provision on loss on derivative instrument classified as a cash flow hedge	$12	$62

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$38,063	$52,125
Restricted cash and investments	14,094	11,518
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,320 and $2,549, respectively	275,764	250,530
Current deferred income tax assets	20,936	20,936
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	39,877	49,236
Total current assets	388,734	384,345
Restricted Cash and Investments	19,328	18,349
Property and Equipment, Net	1,726,869	1,727,798
Direct Finance Lease Receivable	15,869	16,944
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets	4,821	4,821
Goodwill	493,911	490,196
Intangible Assets, Net	167,133	163,400
Other Non-Current Assets	84,123	83,511
Total Assets	2,900,788	2,889,364
Current Liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable	52,397	47,286
Accrued payroll and related taxes	49,113	38,726
Accrued expenses and other	116,520	114,950
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	22,527	22,163
Total current liabilities	240,557	223,125
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	14,689	14,689
Other Non-Current Liabilities	71,450	64,961
Capital Lease Obligations	10,665	10,924
Long-Term Debt	1,479,788	1,485,536
Non-Recourse Debt	65,377	66,153
Commitments, Contingencies and Other (Note 10)	'	'
Shareholders’ Equity	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 90,000,000 shares authorized, 87,147,664 and 86,662,676 issued and 72,569,716 and 72,082,071 outstanding, respectively	871	866
Additional paid-in capital	854,385	848,018
Earnings in excess of distributions	219,497	232,646
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-3,379	-4,429
Treasury stock, 14,577,948 and 14,580,605 shares, at cost, respectively	-53,568	-53,579
Total shareholders’ equity attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	1,017,806	1,023,522
Noncontrolling interests	456	454
Total shareholders’ equity	1,018,262	1,023,976
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$2,900,788	$2,889,364

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un1

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$3,320	$2,549
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	90,000,000	90,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	87,147,664	86,662,676
Common stock, shares outstanding	72,569,716	72,082,071
Treasury stock, shares	14,577,948	14,580,605

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net Income	$27,996	$23,438
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-6	-18
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	27,990	23,420
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Stock-based compensation	2,466	1,685
Depreciation and amortization expense	24,142	22,935
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium	1,224	1,537
Provision for doubtful accounts	535	0
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	-1,484	-1,217
Income tax (benefit) provision related to equity compensation	-558	-1,127
Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment	235	125
Deferred tax benefit	0	-67
Changes in assets and liabilities:	'	'
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	-7,227	-6,603
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	15,829	4,749
Net cash provided by operating activities	63,152	45,437
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:	'	'
Acquisition of Protocol, cash consideration	-13,000	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	165	4
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	0	1,602
Change in restricted cash and investments	-3,273	2,330
Capital expenditures	-17,531	-11,402
Cash used in investing activities - discontinued operations	'	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-33,639	-7,466
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:	'	'
Proceeds from long-term debt	103,000	410,000
Payments on long-term debt	-110,393	-358,438
Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock in connection with ESPP	84	66
Debt issuance costs	0	-5,650
Income tax benefit related to equity compensation	558	1,127
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	3,275	3,049
Cash dividends paid	-41,139	-35,711
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-44,615	14,443
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	1,040	-445
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-14,062	51,969
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	52,125	31,755
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	38,063	83,724
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$1,772	$2,844

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The GEO Group, Inc. a Florida corporation, and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “GEO”) is a fully-integrated real estate investment trust (“REIT”) specializing in the ownership, leasing and management of correctional, detention and re-entry facilities and the provision of community-based services and youth services in the United States, Australia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Canada. The Company owns, leases and operates a broad range of correctional and detention facilities including maximum, medium and minimum security prisons, immigration detention centers, minimum security detention centers, as well as community based re-entry facilities. The Company develops new facilities based on contract awards, using its project development expertise and experience to design, construct and finance what it believes are state-of-the-art facilities that maximize security and efficiency. The Company provides innovative compliance technologies, industry-leading monitoring services, and evidence-based supervision and treatment programs for community-based parolees, probationers and pretrial defendants. The Company also provides secure transportation services for offender and detainee populations as contracted domestically and in the United Kingdom through its joint venture GEO Amey PECS Ltd. (“GEOAmey”). As of March 31, 2014, the Company’s worldwide operations included the management and/or ownership of approximately 77,000 beds at 98 correctional and detention facilities, including projects under development, and also included the provision of monitoring of more than 70,000 offenders in a community-based environment on behalf of approximately 900 federal, state and local correctional agencies located in all 50 states.
	The Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and the instructions to Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all disclosures required by Form 10-K. The accounting policies followed for quarterly financial reporting are the same as those disclosed in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2014 for the year ended December 31, 2013. The accompanying December 31, 2013 consolidated balance sheet has been derived from those audited financial statements. Additional information may be obtained by referring to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring items) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information for the interim periods reported in this Form 10-Q have been made. Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year ending December 31, 2014, or for any other future interim or annual periods.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The Company has recorded goodwill as a result of its business combinations. Goodwill is recorded as the difference, if any, between the aggregate consideration paid for an acquisition and the fair value of the tangible assets, intangible assets acquired net of liabilities assumed, including noncontrolling interests. Changes in goodwill from December 31, 2013 to March 31, 2014 are related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and additions due to an acquisition completed in late February 2014 as discussed further below.
	The Company has also recorded other finite and indefinite lived intangible assets as a result of business combinations completed prior to 2014. Changes in the gross carrying amounts from December 31, 2013 to March 31, 2014 are related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. An acquisition completed in late February 2014 as discussed further below also led to estimated additions to intangible assets. The Company's intangible assets include facility management contracts, the trade name and technology, as follows (in thousands):
				March 31, 2014							December 31, 2013
		Weighted Average Useful Life (years)		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
	Facility management contracts	13.4		$	156,756	$	(47,520	)	$	109,236	$	151,604	$	(44,646	)	$	106,958
	Technology	7		22,012		(9,515		)	12,497		21,200		(8,758		)	12,442
	Trade name (Indefinite lived)	Indefinite		45,400		—			45,400		44,000		—			44,000
	Total acquired intangible assets			$	224,168	$	(57,035	)	$	167,133	$	216,804	$	(53,404	)	$	163,400
	Amortization expense was $3.6 million and $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, respectively. Amortization expense was primarily related to the U.S. Corrections & Detention and GEO Community Services segments' amortization of acquired facility management contracts. As of March 31, 2014, the weighted average period before the next contract renewal or extension for the acquired facility management contracts was approximately 1.4 years. Although the facility management contracts acquired have renewal and extension terms in the near term, the Company has historically maintained these relationships beyond the current contractual periods.
	Estimated amortization expense related to the Company's finite-lived intangible assets for the remainder of 2014 through 2018 and thereafter is as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal Year		Total Amortization Expense
	Remainder of 2014		$	12,087
	2015		15,719
	2016		15,719
	2017		15,719
	2018		13,019
	Thereafter		49,470
			$	121,733
	On February 25, 2014, Protocol Criminal Justice, Inc. ("Protocol"), a recently created subsidiary of the Company's BI subsidiary, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") with an unrelated entity, APAC Customer Services, Inc., to acquire certain tangible and intangible assets for cash consideration of $13 million. The acquisition is expected to provide returns consistent with GEO's targeted returns on invested capital. The preliminary allocation of the purchase price is based on the best information available and is provisional pending, amongst other things: (i) the finalization of the valuation of the fair values and useful lives of property and equipment acquired; (ii) finalization of the valuations and useful lives for intangible assets; and (iii) finalization of the valuation of accounts payable and accrued expenses. During the measurement period (which is the period required to obtain all necessary information that existed at the acquisition date, or to conclude that such information is unavailable, not to exceed one year), additional assets or liabilities may be recognized, or there could be changes to the amounts of assets or liabilities previously recognized on a preliminary basis, if new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have resulted in the recognition of those assets or liabilities as of that date. Based on management's preliminary estimates, the preliminary purchase price allocation on February 25, 2014 primarily consisted of intangible assets of $7.4 million related to acquired facility management contracts, acquired technology and trade name, and goodwill of $3.7 million. In addition, the Company acquired accounts receivable, equipment and assumed certain liabilities, none of which were significant. The Company expects to complete the purchase price allocation during the second quarter of 2014.

Financial_Instruments

Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]	'
Financial Instruments	'
	FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	The following tables provide a summary of the Company’s significant financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
				Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2014
		Carrying Value at March 31, 2014		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
				Active Markets		Observable  Inputs		Unobservable
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)
	Assets:
	Restricted investments:
	Guaranteed Investment Contract	$	5,742	—		$	5,742	—
	Rabbi Trust	10,325		—		10,325		—
	Fixed income securities	1,970		—		1,970		—
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate swap derivative liabilities	$	352	$	—	$	352	$	—
				Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
		Carrying		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
		Value at		Active Markets		Observable  Inputs		Unobservable
		31-Dec-13		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)
	Assets:
	Restricted investments:
	Guaranteed Investment Contract	$	5,742	—		$	5,742	—
	Rabbi Trust	9,534		—		9,534		—
	Fixed income securities	1,993		—		1,993		—
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate swap derivative liabilities	$	390	$	—	$	390	$	—
	The Company’s Level 2 financial instruments included in the tables above as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consist of an interest rate swap liability held by the Company's Australian subsidiary, the Company's rabbi trust established for GEO employee and employer contributions to The GEO Group Inc. Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, an investment in Canadian dollar denominated fixed income securities, and a guaranteed investment contract which is a restricted investment related to CSC of Tacoma LLC ("CSC").
	The Australian subsidiary’s interest rate swap liability is valued using a discounted cash flow model based on projected Australian borrowing rates. The Company's restricted investment in the rabbi trust is invested in Company owned life insurance policies which are recorded at their cash surrender values. These investments are valued based on the underlying investments held in the policies' separate account. The underlying assets are equity and fixed income pooled funds that are comprised of level 1 and level 2 securities. The Canadian dollar denominated securities, not actively traded, are valued using quoted rates for these and similar securities. The restricted investment in the guaranteed investment contract is valued using quoted rates for these and similar securities.

Fair_Value_of_Assets_and_Liabi

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities	'
	FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
	The Company’s consolidated balance sheets reflect certain financial assets and liabilities at carrying value. The carrying value of certain debt instruments, if applicable, is net of unamortized discount. The following tables present the carrying values of those financial instruments and the estimated corresponding fair values at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
				Estimated Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2014
		Carrying Value as of March 31, 2014		Total Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	38,063	$	38,063	$	38,063	$	—	$	—
	Restricted cash	17,356		17,356		3,675		13,681		—
	Liabilities:
	Borrowings under senior credit facility	$	632,750	$	633,867	$	—	$	633,867	$	—
	5⅞% Senior Notes	250,000		257,345		—		257,345		—
	6.625% Senior Notes	300,000		322,500		—		322,500		—
	5.125% Senior Notes	300,000		295,875		—		295,875		—
	Non-recourse debt, Australian subsidiary	23,389		23,840		—		23,840		—
	Other non-recourse debt, including current portion	60,351		62,691		—		62,691		—
				Estimated Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
		Carrying Value as of December 31, 2013		Total Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	52,125	$	52,125	$	52,125	$	—	$	—
	Restricted cash	14,592		14,592		1,838		12,754		—
	Liabilities:
	Borrowings under senior credit facility	$	638,500	$	639,246	$	—	$	639,246	$	—
	5⅞% Senior Notes	250,000		265,938		—		265,938		—
	6.625% Senior Notes	300,000		317,064		—		317,064		—
	5.125% Senior Notes	300,000		279,000		—		279,000		—
	Non-recourse debt, Australian subsidiary	23,896		24,439		—		24,439		—
	Other non-recourse debt, including current portion	60,235		62,319		—		62,319		—
	The fair values of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash approximates the carrying values of these assets at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Restricted cash consists of money market funds, commercial paper and time deposits used for payments on the Company’s non-recourse debt and asset replacement funds contractually required to be maintained at the Company's Australian subsidiary. The fair value of the money market funds is based on quoted market prices (level 1) and the fair value of commercial paper and time deposits is based on market prices for similar instruments (level 2).
	The fair values of the Company's 5⅞% senior unsecured notes due 2022 ("5⅞% Senior Notes"), 6.625% senior unsecured notes due 2021 (“6.625% Senior Notes”), and the 5.125% senior unsecured notes due 2023 ("5.125% Senior Notes"), although not actively traded, are based on published financial data for these instruments. The fair values of the Company's non-recourse debt related to the Washington Economic Development Finance Authority ("WEDFA") is based on market prices for similar instruments. The fair value of the non-recourse debt related to the Company’s Australian subsidiary is estimated using a discounted cash flow model based on current Australian borrowing rates for similar instruments. The fair value of borrowings under the senior credit facility is based on an estimate of trading value considering the Company’s borrowing rate, the undrawn spread and similar instruments.

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Shareholders' Equity	'
	SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	The following table presents the changes in shareholders’ equity that are attributable to the Company’s shareholders and to noncontrolling interests (in thousands):
		Common shares							Additional				Earnings in Excess of				Accumulated			Treasury shares					Noncontrolling			Total
									Paid-In								Other											Shareholders'
																	Comprehensive
		Shares			Amount				Capital				Distributions				Income (Loss)			Shares		Amount			Interests			Equity
	Balance, December 31, 2013	72,082			$	866			$	848,018			$	232,646			$	(4,429	)	14,580		$	(53,579	)	$	454		$	1,023,976
	Proceeds from exercise of stock options	177			2				3,273				—				—			—		—			—			3,275
	Tax benefit related to equity compensation	—			—				558				—				—			—		—			—			558
	Stock based compensation expense	—			—				452				—				—			—		—			—			452
	Restricted stock granted	308			3				(3		)		—				—					—			—			—
	Amortization of restricted stock	—			—				2,014				—				—			—		—			—			2,014
	Dividends paid	—			—				—				(41,139		)		—			—		—			—			(41,139		)
	Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP)	3			—				73				—				—			(3	)	11			—			84
	Net income	—			—				—				27,990				—			—		—			6			27,996
	Other comprehensive loss	—			—				—				—				1,050			—		—			(4		)	1,046
	Balance, March 31, 2014	72,570			$	871			$	854,385			$	219,497			$	(3,379	)	14,577		$	(53,568	)	$	456		$	1,018,262
	REIT Distributions
	As a REIT, GEO is required to distribute annually at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and by excluding net capital gain) and began paying regular quarterly REIT dividends in 2013. The amount, timing and frequency of future dividends, however, will be at the sole discretion of GEO's Board of Directors (the "Board”) and will be declared based upon various factors, many of which are beyond GEO's control, including, GEO's financial condition and operating cash flows, the amount required to maintain REIT status and reduce any income taxes that GEO otherwise would be required to pay, limitations on distributions in GEO's existing and future debt instruments, limitations on GEO's ability to fund distributions using cash generated through GEO's taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs") and other factors that GEO's Board may deem relevant.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013, respectively, GEO declared and paid the following regular cash distributions to its stockholders as follows:
	Declaration Date		Payment Due		Record Date		Distribution Per Share		Aggregate Payment Amount (in millions)
	January 17, 2013		1-Mar-13		February 15, 2013		$0.50		$35.70
	May 7, 2013		June 3, 2013		May 20, 2013		$0.50		$35.80
	July 30, 2013		August 29, 2013		August 19, 2013		$0.50		$36.10
	November 1, 2013		November 26, 2013		November 14, 2013		$0.55		$39.60
	February 18, 2014		March 14, 2014		March 3, 2014		$0.57		$41.10
	Prospectus Supplement
	On May 8, 2013, the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a prospectus supplement related to the offer and sale from time to time of the Company's common stock at an aggregate offering price of up to $100 million through sales agents. Sales of shares of the Company's common stock under the prospectus supplement and equity distribution agreements entered into with the sales agents, if any, may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be "at the market" offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933. There were no sales of shares of the Company's common stock under the prospectus supplement during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Comprehensive income (loss) represents the change in shareholders' equity from transactions and other events and circumstances arising from non-shareholder sources. The Company's total comprehensive income is comprised of net income attributable to GEO, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, foreign currency translation adjustments that arise from consolidating foreign operations that do not impact cash flows, net unrealized gains and/or losses on derivative instruments, and pension liability adjustments in the consolidated statements of shareholders' equity and comprehensive income.
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to GEO included in the consolidated statement of shareholders' equity are as follows:
			Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
			(In thousands)
			Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. [1]				Unrealized (loss)/gain on derivatives, net of tax				Pension adjustments, net of tax				Total
	Balance, December 31, 2013		$	(2,441	)		$	(274	)		$	(1,714	)		$	(4,429	)
	Current-period other comprehensive (loss) income		1,004				27				19				1,050
	Balance, March 31, 2014		$	(1,437	)		$	(247	)		$	(1,695	)		$	(3,379	)
	[1] The foreign currency translation related to noncontrolling interests was not significant at March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

Equity_Incentive_Plans

Equity Incentive Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Equity Incentive Plans	'
	EQUITY INCENTIVE PLANS
	The Board of Directors has adopted The GEO Group, Inc. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2014 Plan"), which was approved by the Company's shareholders on May 2, 2014. The 2014 Plan replaces the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2006 Plan"). The 2014 Plan provides for a reserve of 3,083,353 shares, which consists of 2,000,000 new shares of common stock available for issuance and 1,083,353 shares of common stock that were available for issuance under the 2006 Plan prior to the 2014 Plan replacing it.
	Stock Options
	The Company uses a Black-Scholes option valuation model to estimate the fair value of each option awarded. For options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2014, the fair value was estimated using the following assumptions: (i) volatility of 28.92%; (ii) expected term of 4.82 years; (iii) risk free interest rate of 1.44%; and (iv) expected dividend yield of 7%. A summary of the activity of stock option awards issued and outstanding under Company plans is as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Shares		Wtd. Avg.		Wtd. Avg.	Aggregate
				Exercise		Remaining	Intrinsic
				Price		Contractual Term (years)	Value
		(in thousands)					(in thousands)
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2013	849		$	19.67	6.39	$	10,654
	Options granted	223		32.41
	Options exercised	(177	)	19
	Options forfeited/canceled/expired	(7	)	32.17
	Options outstanding at March 31, 2014	888		$	22.99	7.16	$	8,309
	Options vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2014	852		$	22.67	7.06	$	8,173
	Options exercisable at March 31, 2014	545		$	20.29	6.17	$	6,515
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, the amount of stock-based compensation expense related to stock options was $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had $1.6 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested stock option awards that are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.
	Restricted Stock
	Compensation expense for nonvested stock awards is recorded over the vesting period based on the fair value at the date of grant. Generally, the restricted stock awards vest in equal increments over either a three or four year period. The fair value of restricted stock awards, which do not contain a market-based performance condition, is determined using the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The Company has issued share-based awards with service-based, performance-based and market-based vesting criteria.
	A summary of the activity of restricted stock outstanding is as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Shares		Wtd. Avg.
				Grant  Date
				Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Restricted stock outstanding at December 31, 2013	734		$	26.87
	Granted	308		32.23
	Vested	(125	)	21.34
	Forfeited/canceled	—		—
	Restricted stock outstanding at March 31, 2014	917		$	27.8
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company granted 307,900 shares of restricted stock to certain employees and executive officers. Of these awards, 90,000 are performance-based awards which will be forfeited if the Company does not achieve certain annual metrics during 2014, 2015 and 2016.
	The vesting of these performance-based restricted stock grants are subject to the achievement by GEO of two annual performance metrics as follows: (i) up to 75% of the shares of restricted stock ("TSR Target Award") can vest at the end of a three-year performance period if GEO meets certain total shareholder return ("TSR") performance targets, as compared to the total shareholder return of a peer group of companies, during 2014, 2015 and 2016; and (ii) up to 25% of the shares of restricted stock ("ROCE Target Award") can vest at the end of a three-year period if GEO meets certain return on capital employed ("ROCE") performance targets in 2014, 2015 and 2016. These performance awards can vest at between 0% and 200% of the target awards for both metrics. The number of shares shown for the performance-based awards is based on the target awards for both metrics.
	The metric related to ROCE is considered to be a performance condition. For share-based awards that contain a performance condition, the achievement of the targets must be probable before any share-based compensation expense is recorded. The Company reviews the likelihood of which target in the range will be achieved and if deemed probable, compensation expense is recorded at that time. If subsequent to initial measurement there is a change in the estimate of the probability of meeting the performance condition, the effect of the change in the estimated quantity of awards expected to vest is recognized by cumulatively adjusting compensation expense. If ultimately the performance targets are not met, for any awards where vesting was previously deemed probable, previously recognized compensation expense will be reversed in the period in which vesting is no longer deemed probable. The fair value of these awards was determined based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.
	The metric related to TSR is considered to be a market condition. For share-based awards that contain a market condition, the probability of satisfying the market condition must be considered in the estimate of grant-date fair value and previously recorded compensation expense is not reversed if the market condition is never met. The fair value of these awards was determined based on a Monte Carlo simulation, which calculates a range of possible outcomes and the probabilities that they will occur, using the following key assumptions: (i) volatility of 25.6%; (ii) beta of 0.74; and (iii) risk free rate of 0.62%.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, the Company recognized $2.0 million and $1.3 million, respectively, of compensation expense related to its restricted stock awards. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had $21.4 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested restricted stock awards, including non-vested restricted stock awards with performance-based and market-based vesting, that are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 4.0 years.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	The Company previously adopted The GEO Group Inc. 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”) which was approved by the Company's shareholders. The purpose of the Plan, which is qualified under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1986, as amended, is to encourage stock ownership through payroll deductions by the employees of GEO and designated subsidiaries of GEO in order to increase their identification with the Company’s goals and secure a proprietary interest in the Company’s success. These deductions are used to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a 5% discount from the then current market price. The Company has made available up to 500,000 shares of its common stock, which were registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2012, for sale to eligible employees under the Plan.
	The Plan is considered to be non-compensatory. As such, there is no compensation expense required to be recognized. Share purchases under the Plan are made on the last day of each month. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, 2,657 shares were issued out of the Company's treasury stock in connection with the Plan.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Basic income per common share is computed by dividing the income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. shareholders by the weighted average number of outstanding shares of common stock. The calculation of diluted income per common share is similar to that of basic income per common share except that the denominator includes dilutive common stock equivalents such as stock options and shares of restricted stock. Basic and diluted income per common share from were calculated for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13
	Net Income	$	27,996		$	23,438
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6		)	(18		)
	Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	27,990			23,420
	Basic earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.:
	Weighted average shares outstanding	71,449			70,850
	Per share amount	$	0.39		$	0.33
	Diluted earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.:
	Weighted average shares outstanding	71,449			70,850
	Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and restricted stock	446			562
	Weighted average shares assuming dilution	71,895			71,412
	Per share amount	$	0.39		$	0.33
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, 17,070 weighted average shares of common stock underlying options were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS because the effect would be anti-dilutive. There were no common stock equivalents from restricted shares that were anti-dilutive.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2013, no shares of stock options or restricted stock were anti-dilutive.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	The Company’s primary objective in holding derivatives is to reduce the volatility of earnings and cash flows associated with changes in interest rates. The Company measures its derivative financial instruments at fair value.
	The Company’s Australian subsidiary is a party to an interest rate swap agreement to fix the interest rate on its variable rate non-recourse debt to 9.7%. The Company has determined the swap, which has a notional amount of AUD 50.9 million, payment and expiration dates, and call provisions that coincide with the terms of the non-recourse debt to be an effective cash flow hedge. Accordingly, the Company records the change in the value of the interest rate swap in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes. Total unrealized gains recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax, related to this cash flow hedge was not significant for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The total fair value of the swap liability as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and is recorded as a component of other non-current assets within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. There was no material ineffectiveness of this interest rate swap for the periods presented. The Company does not expect to enter into any transactions during the next twelve months which would result in the reclassification into earnings or losses associated with this swap currently reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	DEBT
	Debt outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Senior Credit Facility:
	Term loan	$	297,750		$	298,500
	Revolver	335,000			340,000
	Total Senior Credit Facility	632,750			$	638,500
	5.125% Senior Notes:
	Notes due in 2023	300,000			300,000
	5⅞% Senior Notes
	Notes Due in 2022	250,000			250,000
	6.625% Senior Notes:
	Notes due in 2021	300,000			300,000
	Non-Recourse Debt :
	Non-Recourse Debt	84,633			85,091
	Unamortized discount on Non-Recourse Debt	(893		)	(960		)
	Total Non-Recourse Debt	83,740			84,131
	Capital Lease Obligations	11,674			11,924
	Other debt	193			221
	Total debt	1,578,357			1,584,776
	Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	(22,527		)	(22,163		)
	Capital Lease Obligations, long-term portion	(10,665		)	(10,924		)
	Non-Recourse Debt	(65,377		)	(66,153		)
	Long-Term Debt	$	1,479,788		$	1,485,536
	Credit Agreement
	On April 3, 2013, the Company entered into the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc. (with the Company as the sole term loan borrower, and the Company and GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc. as joint and several revolver borrowers), BNP Paribas, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders who are, or may from time to time become, a party thereto (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement evidences a Senior Credit Facility (the “Senior Credit Facility”) consisting of a $300 million Term Loan (the “Term Loan”) initially bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.50% (with a LIBOR floor of 0.75%), and a $700 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) initially bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.50% (with no LIBOR floor), in each case subject to adjustment based on a total leverage ratio pricing grid. The Company also has the ability to increase the Senior Credit Facility by an additional $350 million, subject to lender demand, prevailing market conditions and satisfying the borrowing and other conditions thereunder. The Revolver component is scheduled to mature on April 3, 2018 and the Term Loan component is scheduled to mature on April 3, 2020. The Term Loan and Revolver may be prepaid in whole or in part by the Company at any time without premium or penalty, subject to certain conditions.
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company had $297.8 million in aggregate borrowings outstanding under the Term Loan, $335.0 million in borrowings under the Revolver, and approximately $61.0 million in letters of credit which left $304.0 million in additional borrowing capacity under the Revolver. The weighted average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2014 was 2.9%.
	Indebtedness under the Revolver bears interest based on the Total Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, as of the most recent determination date, as defined, in each of the instances below at the stated rate:
	LIBOR borrowings		LIBOR plus 1.75% to 2.75%.
	Base rate borrowings		Prime Rate plus 0.75% to 1.75%.
	Letters of credit		1.75% to 2.75%.
	Unused Revolver		0.35% to 0.375%.
	The Credit Agreement contains certain representations and warranties, certain affirmative covenants and certain negative covenants that (subject to certain exceptions and allowances) restrict the Company's ability to, among other things, (i) create, incur or assume indebtedness, (ii) create, incur, assume or permit liens, (iii) make loans and other investments, (iv) engage in mergers, acquisitions, liquidations and asset sales, (v) make certain restricted payments, (vi) issue, sell or otherwise dispose of certain types of non-common equity, (vii) engage in transactions with affiliates, (viii) allow the total leverage ratio to exceed 5.75 to 1.00, allow the senior secured leverage ratio to exceed 3.50 to 1.00 or allow the interest coverage ratio to be less than 3.00 to 1.00, (ix) cancel, forgive, make any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment on, or redeem or acquire for value certain of its senior notes, except as permitted, (x) alter the business the Company conducts, and (xi) materially impair the Company's lenders' security interests in the collateral for its loans.
	The Senior Credit Facility generally requires the Interest Coverage Ratio to be calculated as (a) Adjusted EBITDA (as defined under the Senior Credit Facility) for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters to (b) Interest Expense (as defined under the Senior Credit Facility), minus Interest Expense attributable to Indebtedness of Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Other Consolidated Persons that is Non-Recourse to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such four quarter period (capitalized terms are defined in the Senior Credit Facility).
	Events of default under the Credit Agreement include, but are not limited to, (i) the Company's failure to pay principal or letter of credit reimbursement obligations when due or to pay any interest or other amounts within three business days of the payment deadline, (ii) the Company's material breach of any representations or warranty, (iii) covenant defaults, (iv) liquidation, reorganization or other relief relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, (v) cross default under certain other material indebtedness, (vi) unsatisfied final monetary judgments over a specified threshold, (vii) material environmental liability claims which have been asserted against the Company, and (viii) a change in control. All of the obligations under the Credit Agreement are unconditionally guaranteed by each of the Company's domestic subsidiaries that are restricted subsidiaries under the Senior Credit Facility. The Senior Credit Facility and the related guarantees are secured on a first-priority basis by substantially all of the Company's present and future tangible and intangible assets, subject to certain exceptions, and all present and future tangible and intangible assets, subject to certain exceptions, of each guarantor. The Company's failure to comply with any of the covenants under its Credit Agreement could cause an event of default under such documents and result in an acceleration of all outstanding senior secured indebtedness. The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants of the Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2014.
	5.125% Senior Notes
	Interest on the 5.125% Senior Notes accrues at the stated rate. The Company pays interest semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year. On or after April 1, 2018, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or part of the 5.125% Senior Notes at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 5.125% Senior Notes. The indenture contains certain covenants, including limitations and restrictions on the Company and its subsidiary guarantors (Refer to Note 15-Condensed Consolidating Financial Information). The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants of the indenture governing the 5.125% Senior Notes as of March 31, 2014.
	5⅞% Senior Notes
	Interest on the 5⅞% Senior Notes accrues at the stated rate. The Company pays interest semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year. On or after January 15, 2017, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or part of the 5⅞% Senior Notes at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 5⅞% Senior Notes. The indenture contains certain covenants, including limitations and restrictions on the Company and its subsidiary guarantors (Refer to Note 15-Condensed Consolidating Financial Information). The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants of the indenture governing the 5⅞% Senior Notes as of March 31, 2014.
	6.625% Senior Notes
	Interest on the 6.625% Senior Notes accrues at the stated rate. The Company pays interest semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year. On or after February 15, 2016, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or part of the 6.625% Senior Notes at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 6.625% Senior Notes. The indenture contains certain covenants, including limitations and restrictions on the Company and its subsidiary guarantors (Refer to Note 15-Condensed Consolidating Financial Information). The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants of the indenture governing the 6.625% Senior Notes as of March 31, 2014.
	Non-Recourse Debt
	Northwest Detention Center
	As of March 31, 2014, the remaining balance of the debt service requirement under the $57.0 million note payable ("2003 Revenue Bonds") and the $54.4 million note payable ("2011 Revenue Bonds") to the Washington Economic Finance Authority ("WEDFA") maturing in October 2014 and October 2021 with fixed coupon rates ranging from 4.10% to 5.25%, respectively, is $61.2 million, of which $11.8 million is classified as current in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The payment of principal and interest on the 2011 Revenue Bonds and the 2003 Revenue Bonds issued by WEDFA is non-recourse to GEO.
	As of March 31, 2014, included in current restricted cash and investments and non-current restricted cash and investments is $14.1 million of funds held in trust with respect to the Northwest Detention Center for debt service and other reserves.
	Australia
	The non-recourse obligations to the Company total $23.4 million (AUD 25.3 million) and $23.9 million (AUD 26.9 million), based on the exchange rates in effect at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The term of the non-recourse debt is through 2017 and it bears interest at a variable rate quoted by certain Australian banks plus 140 basis points. Any obligations or liabilities of the subsidiary are matched by a similar or corresponding commitment from the government of the State of Victoria. As a condition of the loan, the Company is required to maintain a restricted cash balance of AUD 5.0 million, which, based on exchange rates as of March 31, 2014, was $4.6 million. This amount is included in non-current restricted cash and investments and the annual maturities of the future debt obligation are included in Non-Recourse Debt.
	Guarantees
	In connection with the creation of South African Custodial Services Pty. Limited ("SACS"), the Company entered into certain guarantees related to the financing, construction and operation of the prison. As of March 31, 2014, the Company guaranteed obligations amounting to 26.7 million South African Rand, or $2.5 million based on exchange rates as of March 31, 2014. In the event SACS is unable to maintain the required funding in a rectification account maintained for the payment of certain costs in the event of contract termination, a previously existing guarantee by the Company for the shortfall will need to be re-instated. The remaining guarantee of 26.7 million South African Rand is secured by outstanding letters of credit under the Company's Revolver as of March 31, 2014.
	In addition to the above, the Company has also agreed to provide a loan, if required, of up to 20 million South African Rand, or $1.9 million based on exchange rates as of March 31, 2014, referred to as the Shareholder's Loan, to SACS for the purpose of financing SACS’ obligations under its contract with the South African government. No amounts have been funded under the standby facility, and the Company does not currently anticipate that such funding will be required by SACS in the future. The Company’s obligations under the Shareholder's Loan expire upon the earlier of full funding or SACS’s release from its obligations under its debt agreements. The lenders’ ability to draw on the Shareholder's Loan is limited to certain circumstances, including termination of the contract.
	The Company has also guaranteed certain obligations of SACS to the security trustee for SACS’ lenders. The Company secured its guarantee to the security trustee by ceding its rights to claims against SACS in respect of any loans or other finance agreements, and by pledging the Company’s shares in SACS. The Company’s liability under the guarantee is limited to the cession and pledge of shares. The guarantee expires upon expiration of the cession and pledge agreements.
	In connection with a design, build, finance and maintenance contract for a facility in Canada, the Company guaranteed certain potential tax obligations of a trust. The potential estimated exposure of these obligations is Canadian Dollar (“CAD”) 2.5 million, or $2.3 million, based on exchange rates as of March 31, 2014, commencing in 2017. The Company has a liability of $2.0 million and $2.0 million related to this exposure included in Other Non-Current Liabilities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. To secure this guarantee, the Company purchased Canadian dollar denominated securities with maturities matched to the estimated tax obligations in 2017 to 2021. The Company has recorded an asset equal to the current fair value of those securities included in Other Non-Current Assets as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, on its consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not currently operate or manage this facility.
	At March 31, 2014, the Company also had eight letters of guarantee outstanding under separate international facilities relating to performance guarantees of its Australian subsidiary totaling $11.3 million.
	In connection with the creation of GEOAmey, the Company and its joint venture partner guarantee the availability of working capital in equal proportion to ensure that GEOAmey can comply with current and future contractual commitments related to the performance of its operations. The Company and the 50% joint venture partner have each extended a £12 million line of credit of which £12.0 million, or $20.0 million, based on exchange rates as of March 31, 2014, was outstanding as of March 31, 2014. The Company's maximum exposure relative to the joint venture is its note receivable of $20.0 million and future financial support necessary to guarantee performance under the contract.
	Except as discussed above, the Company does not have any off balance sheet arrangements.

Commitments_Contingencies_And_

Commitments, Contingencies And Other	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments, Contingencies and Other	'
	COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER
	Litigation, Claims and Assessments
	The nature of the Company's business exposes it to various types of third-party legal claims or litigation against the Company, including, but not limited to, civil rights claims relating to conditions of confinement and/or mistreatment, sexual misconduct claims brought by prisoners or detainees, medical malpractice claims, product liability claims, intellectual property infringement claims, claims relating to employment matters (including, but not limited to, employment discrimination claims, union grievances and wage and hour claims), property loss claims, environmental claims, automobile liability claims, indemnification claims by its customers and other third parties, contractual claims and claims for personal injury or other damages resulting from contact with the Company's facilities, programs, electronic monitoring products, personnel or prisoners, including damages arising from a prisoner's escape or from a disturbance or riot at a facility. The Company does not expect the outcome of any pending claims or legal proceedings to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	Commitments
	The Company currently has contractual commitments for a number of projects using Company financing. The Company’s management estimates that the cost of these existing capital projects will be $60.3 million of which $19.6 million was spent through the first quarter of 2014. The Company estimates the remaining capital requirements related to these capital projects will be $40.7 million which will be spent through fiscal year 2014.
	Contract Awards
	On February 3, 2014, GEO announced that it assumed management of the 985-bed Moore Haven Correctional Facility, the 985-bed Bay Correctional Facility, and the 1,884-bed Graceville Correctional Facility under contracts with the Florida Department of Management Services effective February 1, 2014.
	On February 3, 2014, GEO announced that it had increased the contracted capacity at the Company-owned Rio Grande Detention Center in Laredo, Texas from 1,500 to 1,900 beds under a contract with the U.S. Marshals Service.
	Idle Facilities
	The Company is currently marketing approximately 5,800 vacant beds at five of its idle facilities to potential customers. The carrying values of these idle facilities, which are included in Property and Equipment, Net in the consolidated balance sheets, totaled $181 million as of March 31, 2014, excluding equipment and other assets that can be easily transferred for use at other facilities.
	GEO Care Holdings LLC
	On February 28, 2014, GEO Care Holdings LLC, the Company's former wholly owned subsidiary, exercised its right to terminate the Services Agreement and License Agreement with GEO. As a result, in accordance with the agreements, GEO Care Holdings LLC made a lump sum payment to the Company in the amount of $6.5 million which represented all remaining payments that would have been required to be made to GEO under the agreements, discounted to present value using a discount rate of 10%. Pursuant to the termination, the terms under the agreements will remain in effect until June 30, 2015. The amount, which is recorded as deferred revenue and included in other current and non-liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet, will be amortized over the remaining term through June 30, 2015.

Business_Segments_and_Geograph

Business Segments and Geographic Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business Segments and Geographic Information	'
	BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
	Operating and Reporting Segments
	The Company conducts its business through four reportable business segments: the U.S. Corrections & Detention segment; the GEO Community Services segment; the International Services segment; and the Facility Construction & Design segment. The Facility Construction & Design segment did not have any operating activity during the 2014 and 2013 periods presented.The Company's segment revenues from external customers and a measure of segment profit are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13
	Revenues:
	U.S. Corrections & Detention	$	266,715			$	248,772
	GEO Community Services	76,652				73,941
	International Services	49,770				54,318
	Total revenues	$	393,137			$	377,031
	Operating income:
	U.S. Corrections & Detention (1)	$	58,810			$	54,092
	GEO Community Services (1)	15,701				17,405
	International Services	2,561				1,802
	Operating income from segments	$	77,072			$	73,299
	Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments
	The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s total operating income from its reportable segments to the Company’s income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended
			31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13
	Total operating income from segments		$	77,072			$	73,299
	Unallocated amounts:
	General and Administrative Expenses		(28,502		)		(32,040		)
	Net Interest Expense		(19,920		)		(18,157		)
	Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		$	28,650			$	23,102
	Equity in Earnings of Affiliates
	Equity in earnings of affiliates includes the Company’s 50% owned joint ventures in SACS, located in South Africa, and GEOAmey, located in the United Kingdom. Our investments in these entities are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company’s investments in these entities are presented as a component of Other Non-Current Assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company has recorded $1.2 million and $1.3 million in earnings, net of tax, for SACS operations during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, respectively, which are included in equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s investment in SACS was $9.2 million and $8.1 million, respectively.
	The Company has recorded $0.3 million in earnings and $(0.1) million in losses, net of tax, for GEOAmey’s operations during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, respectively, which are included in equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s investment in GEOAmey was $(2.6) million and $(3.0) million, respectively, and represents its share of cumulative reported losses. Losses in excess of the Company's investment have been recognized as the Company has provided certain loans and guarantees to provide financial support to GEOAmey (Refer to Note 9-Debt.)

Benefit_Plans

Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Benefit Plans	'
	BENEFIT PLANS
	The following table summarizes key information related to the Company’s pension plans and retirement agreements (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014			Year Ended December 2013
	Change in Projected Benefit Obligation
	Projected benefit obligation, beginning of period	$	20,032		$	19,761
	Service cost	204			925
	Interest cost	234			829
	Actuarial gain	—			(1,229		)
	Benefits paid	(78		)	(254		)
	Projected benefit obligation, end of period	$	20,392		$	20,032
	Change in Plan Assets
	Plan assets at fair value, beginning of period	$	—		$	—
	Company contributions	78			254
	Benefits paid	(78		)	(254		)
	Plan assets at fair value, end of period	$	—		$	—
	Unfunded Status of the Plan	$	(20,392	)	$	(20,032	)
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13
	Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
	Service cost	$	204		$	231
	Interest cost	234			207
	Net loss	—			66
	Net periodic pension cost	$	438		$	504
	The long-term portion of the pension liability as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $19.6 million and $19.9 million, respectively, and is included in Other Non-Current Liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Recent_Accounting_Standards

Recent Accounting Standards	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCMENTS
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, "Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity," which changes the requirements for reporting discontinued operations. A discontinued operation may include a component of an entity or group of components of an entity, or a business or nonprofit activity. Under the ASU, only those disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results will be reported as discontinued operations in the financial statements. This standard will become effective for disposals or activities classified as held for sale that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. The implementation of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-05, "Service Concession Arrangements," which specifies that an operating entity should not account for a service concession arrangement that falls within the scope of this update as a lease in accordance with Topic 840. An operating entity should refer to other Topics as applicable to account for various aspects of a service concession arrangement. The amendments also specify that the infrastructure used in a service concession arrangement should not be recognized as property, plant and equipment of the operating entity. A service concession arrangement is defined as an arrangement between a public-sector entity and an operating entity for which the terms provide that the operating entity will operate the public-sector entity's infrastructure (for example, airports, roads, bridges, tunnels, prisons and hospitals) for a specified period of time. This standard will become effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 31, 2014. The Company is in the process of evaluating whether this standard would have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	Dividend
	On April 28, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.57 per share of common stock, which is to be paid on May 27, 2014 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 15, 2014.
	Contract Awards
	On April 1, 2014, the Company announced that it had signed a contract with with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for the reactivation of the Company-owned, 260-bed McFarland Female Community Reentry Facility located in McFarland, California.
	On April 30, 2014, the Company announced that it had signed an amendment to the existing contract with the City of Adelanto, California for a 640-bed expansion to the Company-owned, 1,300-bed Adelanto Detention Facility.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company's 6.625% Senior Notes, 5.125% Senior Notes and 5 7/8% Senior Notes were fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior unsecured basis by the Company and certain of its wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). The following condensed consolidating financial information, which has been prepared in accordance with the requirements for presentation of Rule 3-10(d) of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act, presents the condensed consolidating financial information separately for:
	(i)	The GEO Group, Inc., as the issuer of the notes;
	(ii)	The Subsidiary Guarantors, on a combined basis, which are 100% owned by The GEO Group, Inc., and which are guarantors of the notes;
	(iii)	The Company’s other subsidiaries, on a combined basis, which are not guarantors of the notes (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”);
	(iv)	Consolidating entries and eliminations representing adjustments to (a) eliminate intercompany transactions between or among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Subsidiary Non-Guarantors and (b) eliminate the investments in the Company’s subsidiaries; and
	(v)	The Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	(dollars in thousands)
	(unaudited)
		For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		The GEO Group, Inc.			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor
					Guarantors			Subsidiaries
	Revenues	$	134,754		$	314,985		$	52,331		$	(108,933	)	$	393,137
	Operating expenses	107,222			250,680			42,954			(108,933		)	291,923
	Depreciation and amortization	6,406			16,634			1,102			—			24,142
	General and administrative expenses	9,339			15,536			3,627			—			28,502
	Operating income (loss)	11,787			32,135			4,648			—			48,570
	Interest income	5,536			436			679			(5,919		)	732
	Interest expense	(11,074		)	(13,763		)	(1,734		)	5,919			(20,652		)
	Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	6,249			18,808			3,593			—			28,650
	Income tax provision	—			1,294			844			—			2,138
	Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	—			—			1,484			—			1,484
	Income before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	6,249			17,514			4,233			—			27,996
	Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision	21,747			—			—			(21,747		)	—
	Net income	27,996			17,514			4,233			(21,747		)	27,996
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(6		)	—			(6		)
	Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$	27,996		$	17,514		$	4,227		$	(21,747	)	$	27,990
	Net income	$	27,996		$	17,514		$	4,233		$	(21,747	)	$	27,996
	Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—			19			1,027			—			1,046
	Total comprehensive income	$	27,996		$	17,533		$	5,260		$	(21,747	)	$	29,042
	Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(2		)	—			(2		)
	Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$	27,996		$	17,533		$	5,258		$	(21,747	)	$	29,040
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	(dollars in thousands)
	(unaudited)
		For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		The GEO Group, Inc.			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor
					Guarantors			Subsidiaries
	Revenues	$	113,491		$	312,528		$	57,385		$	(106,373	)	$	377,031
	Operating expenses	99,409			240,477			47,284			(106,373		)	280,797
	Depreciation and amortization	5,824			15,881			1,230			—			22,935
	General and administrative expenses	9,197			18,192			4,651			—			32,040
	Operating income (loss)	(939		)	37,978			4,220			—			41,259
	Interest income	3,960			550			1,096			(4,422		)	1,184
	Interest expense	(9,920		)	(11,431		)	(2,412		)	4,422			(19,341		)
	Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	(6,899		)	27,097			2,904			—			23,102
	Income tax (benefit) provision	(667		)	406			1,142			—			881
	Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	—			—			1,217			—			1,217
	Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	(6,232		)	26,691			2,979			—			23,438
	Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision	29,670			—			—			(29,670		)	—
	Net income	23,438			26,691			2,979			(29,670		)	23,438
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(18		)	—			(18		)
	Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$	23,438		$	26,691		$	2,961		$	(29,670	)	$	23,420
	Net income	$	23,438		$	26,691		$	2,979		$	(29,670	)	$	23,438
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	—			40			(1,220		)	—			(1,180		)
	Total comprehensive income	$	23,438		$	26,731		$	1,759		$	(29,670	)	$	22,258
	Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			23			—			23
	Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$	23,438		$	26,731		$	1,782		$	(29,670	)	$	22,281
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
	As of March 31, 2014
	The GEO Group, Inc.			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor
				Guarantors			Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,498		$	3,835		$	26,730		$	—		$	38,063
Restricted cash and investments	—			—			14,094			—			14,094
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	95,584			160,974			19,206			—			275,764
Current deferred income tax assets	—			19,236			1,700			—			20,936
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,169			17,956			15,906			(1,154		)	39,877
Total current assets	110,251			202,001			77,636			(1,154		)	388,734
Restricted Cash and Investments	185			11,874			7,269			—			19,328
Property and Equipment, Net	687,560			954,677			84,632			—			1,726,869
Direct Finance Lease Receivable	—			—			15,869			—			15,869
Intercompany Receivable	932,983			142,703			(24		)	(1,075,662		)	—
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets	—			—			4,821			—			4,821
Goodwill	34			493,189			688			—			493,911
Intangible Assets, Net	—			165,925			1,208			—			167,133
Investment in Subsidiaries	928,874			392,972			4			(1,321,850		)	—
Other Non-Current Assets	21,813			104,700			37,297			(79,687		)	84,123
Total Assets	$	2,681,700		$	2,468,041		$	229,400		$	(2,478,353	)	$	2,900,788
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	$	7,970		$	40,770		$	3,657		$	—		$	52,397
Accrued payroll and related taxes	207			32,540			16,366			—			49,113
Accrued expenses and other	36,088			62,812			18,774			(1,154		)	116,520
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	3,000			1,163			18,364			—			22,527
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	—			—			—			—			—
Total current liabilities	47,265			137,285			57,161			(1,154		)	240,557
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	(2,230		)	16,902			17			—			14,689
Intercompany Payable	133,555			927,791			14,315			(1,075,661		)	—
Other Non-Current Liabilities	5,516			140,148			5,566			(79,780		)	71,450
Capital Lease Obligations	—			10,665			—			—			10,665
Long-Term Debt	1,479,788			—			—			—			1,479,788
Non-Recourse Debt	—			—			65,377			—			65,377
Commitments & Contingencies and Other
Shareholders' Equity:
The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	1,017,806			1,235,250			86,508			(1,321,758		)	1,017,806
Noncontrolling Interests	—			—			456			—			456
Total Shareholders’ Equity	1,017,806			1,235,250			86,964			(1,321,758		)	1,018,262
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	2,681,700		$	2,468,041		$	229,400		$	(2,478,353	)	$	2,900,788
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
(dollars in thousands)
	As of December 31, 2013
	The GEO Group, Inc.			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor
				Guarantors			Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	30,730		$	985		$	20,410		$	—		$	52,125
Restricted cash and investments	—			—			11,518			—			11,518
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	84,087			149,239			17,204			—			250,530
Current deferred income tax assets	—			19,236			1,700			—			20,936
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	17,834			21,032			11,524			(1,154		)	49,236
Total current assets	132,651			190,492			62,356			(1,154		)	384,345
Restricted Cash and Investments	167			11,158			7,024			—			18,349
Property and Equipment, Net	686,005			956,724			85,069			—			1,727,798
Direct Finance Lease Receivable	—			—			16,944			—			16,944
Intercompany Receivable	947,916			123,237			—			(1,071,153		)	—
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets	—			—			4,821			—			4,821
Goodwill	34			489,501			661			—			490,196
Intangible Assets, Net	—			162,160			1,240			—			163,400
Investment in Subsidiaries	898,333			421,218			—			(1,319,551		)	—
Other Non-Current Assets	23,346			104,241			35,615			(79,691		)	83,511
Total Assets	$	2,688,452		$	2,458,731		$	213,730		$	(2,471,549	)	$	2,889,364
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	$	29,866		$	13,895		$	3,525		$	—		$	47,286
Accrued payroll and related taxes	207			23,470			15,049			—			38,726
Accrued expenses and other	26,963			74,645			14,496			(1,154		)	114,950
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	3,000			1,185			17,978			—			22,163
Total current liabilities	60,036			113,195			51,048			(1,154		)	223,125
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	(120		)	14,792			17			—			14,689
Intercompany Payable	114,208			942,666			14,279			(1,071,153		)	—
Other Non-Current Liabilities	5,270			138,743			639			(79,691		)	64,961
Capital Lease Obligations	—			10,924			—			—			10,924
Long-Term Debt	1,485,536			—			—			—			1,485,536
Non-Recourse Debt	—			—			66,153			—			66,153
Commitments & Contingencies and Other
Shareholders' Equity:
The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	1,023,522			1,238,411			81,140			(1,319,551		)	1,023,522
Noncontrolling Interests	—			—			454			—			454
Total Shareholders’ Equity	1,023,522			1,238,411			81,594			(1,319,551		)	1,023,976
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	2,688,452		$	2,458,731		$	213,730		$	(2,471,549	)	$	2,889,364
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	The GEO Group, Inc.			Combined			Combined			Consolidated
				Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor
				Guarantors			Subsidiaries
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	28,511		$	25,116		$	9,525		$	63,152
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of Protocol, cash consideration	—			(13,000		)	—			(13,000		)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	—			165			—			165
Change in restricted cash and investments	(185		)	(549		)	(2,539		)	(3,273		)
Capital expenditures	(8,586		)	(8,642		)	(303		)	(17,531		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(8,771		)	(22,026		)	(2,842		)	(33,639		)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	103,000			—			—			103,000
Payments on long-term debt	(108,750		)	(240		)	(1,403		)	(110,393		)
Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock in connection with ESPP	84			—			—			84
Tax benefit related to equity compensation	558			—			—			558
Proceeds from stock options exercised	3,275			—			—			3,275
Cash dividends paid	(41,139		)	—			—			(41,139		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(42,972		)	(240		)	(1,403		)	(44,615		)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	—			—			1,040			1,040
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(23,232		)	2,850			6,320			(14,062		)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	30,730			985			20,410			52,125
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	$	7,498		$	3,835		$	26,730		$	38,063
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	The GEO Group, Inc.			Combined			Combined			Consolidated
				Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor
				Guarantors			Subsidiaries
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	8,032			26,708			10,697			45,437
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of BI and Cornell, cash consideration, net of cash acquired	—			—			—			—
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	—			4			—			4
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	—			1,602			—			1,602
Change in restricted cash and investments	(124		)	(1,145		)	3,599			2,330
Capital expenditures	(1,414		)	(9,624		)	(364		)	(11,402		)
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities - continuing operations	(1,538		)	(9,163		)	3,235			(7,466		)
Cash used in investing activities - discontinued operations	—			—			—			—
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(1,538		)	(9,163		)	3,235			(7,466		)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	410,000			—			—			410,000
Payments on long-term debt	(351,153		)	(377		)	(6,908		)	(358,438		)
Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock in connection with ESPP	66			—			—			66
Debt issuance costs	(5,650		)	—			—			(5,650		)
Tax benefit related to equity compensation	1,127			—			—			1,127
Proceeds from stock options exercised	3,049			—			—			3,049
Cash dividends paid	(35,711		)	—			—			(35,711		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	21,728			(377		)	(6,908		)	14,443
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	—			—			(445		)	(445		)
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	28,222			17,168			6,579			51,969
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	4,764			1,917			25,074			31,755
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	$	32,986		$	19,085		$	31,653		$	83,724

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of intangible assets	'
	The Company's intangible assets include facility management contracts, the trade name and technology, as follows (in thousands):
				March 31, 2014							December 31, 2013
		Weighted Average Useful Life (years)		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
	Facility management contracts	13.4		$	156,756	$	(47,520	)	$	109,236	$	151,604	$	(44,646	)	$	106,958
	Technology	7		22,012		(9,515		)	12,497		21,200		(8,758		)	12,442
	Trade name (Indefinite lived)	Indefinite		45,400		—			45,400		44,000		—			44,000
	Total acquired intangible assets			$	224,168	$	(57,035	)	$	167,133	$	216,804	$	(53,404	)	$	163,400
Estimated amortization expense for the remainder	'
	Estimated amortization expense related to the Company's finite-lived intangible assets for the remainder of 2014 through 2018 and thereafter is as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal Year		Total Amortization Expense
	Remainder of 2014		$	12,087
	2015		15,719
	2016		15,719
	2017		15,719
	2018		13,019
	Thereafter		49,470
			$	121,733

Financial_Instruments_Tables

Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]	'
Fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis	'
	The following tables provide a summary of the Company’s significant financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
				Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2014
		Carrying Value at March 31, 2014		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
				Active Markets		Observable  Inputs		Unobservable
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)
	Assets:
	Restricted investments:
	Guaranteed Investment Contract	$	5,742	—		$	5,742	—
	Rabbi Trust	10,325		—		10,325		—
	Fixed income securities	1,970		—		1,970		—
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate swap derivative liabilities	$	352	$	—	$	352	$	—
				Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
		Carrying		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
		Value at		Active Markets		Observable  Inputs		Unobservable
		31-Dec-13		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)
	Assets:
	Restricted investments:
	Guaranteed Investment Contract	$	5,742	—		$	5,742	—
	Rabbi Trust	9,534		—		9,534		—
	Fixed income securities	1,993		—		1,993		—
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate swap derivative liabilities	$	390	$	—	$	390	$	—

Fair_Value_of_Assets_and_Liabi1

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Carrying value and estimated fair value of financial instruments	'
	The following tables present the carrying values of those financial instruments and the estimated corresponding fair values at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
				Estimated Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2014
		Carrying Value as of March 31, 2014		Total Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	38,063	$	38,063	$	38,063	$	—	$	—
	Restricted cash	17,356		17,356		3,675		13,681		—
	Liabilities:
	Borrowings under senior credit facility	$	632,750	$	633,867	$	—	$	633,867	$	—
	5⅞% Senior Notes	250,000		257,345		—		257,345		—
	6.625% Senior Notes	300,000		322,500		—		322,500		—
	5.125% Senior Notes	300,000		295,875		—		295,875		—
	Non-recourse debt, Australian subsidiary	23,389		23,840		—		23,840		—
	Other non-recourse debt, including current portion	60,351		62,691		—		62,691		—
				Estimated Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
		Carrying Value as of December 31, 2013		Total Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	52,125	$	52,125	$	52,125	$	—	$	—
	Restricted cash	14,592		14,592		1,838		12,754		—
	Liabilities:
	Borrowings under senior credit facility	$	638,500	$	639,246	$	—	$	639,246	$	—
	5⅞% Senior Notes	250,000		265,938		—		265,938		—
	6.625% Senior Notes	300,000		317,064		—		317,064		—
	5.125% Senior Notes	300,000		279,000		—		279,000		—
	Non-recourse debt, Australian subsidiary	23,896		24,439		—		24,439		—
	Other non-recourse debt, including current portion	60,235		62,319		—		62,319		—

Shareholders_Equity_Tables

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to noncontrolling interests	'
	The following table presents the changes in shareholders’ equity that are attributable to the Company’s shareholders and to noncontrolling interests (in thousands):
		Common shares							Additional				Earnings in Excess of				Accumulated			Treasury shares					Noncontrolling			Total
									Paid-In								Other											Shareholders'
																	Comprehensive
		Shares			Amount				Capital				Distributions				Income (Loss)			Shares		Amount			Interests			Equity
	Balance, December 31, 2013	72,082			$	866			$	848,018			$	232,646			$	(4,429	)	14,580		$	(53,579	)	$	454		$	1,023,976
	Proceeds from exercise of stock options	177			2				3,273				—				—			—		—			—			3,275
	Tax benefit related to equity compensation	—			—				558				—				—			—		—			—			558
	Stock based compensation expense	—			—				452				—				—			—		—			—			452
	Restricted stock granted	308			3				(3		)		—				—					—			—			—
	Amortization of restricted stock	—			—				2,014				—				—			—		—			—			2,014
	Dividends paid	—			—				—				(41,139		)		—			—		—			—			(41,139		)
	Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP)	3			—				73				—				—			(3	)	11			—			84
	Net income	—			—				—				27,990				—			—		—			6			27,996
	Other comprehensive loss	—			—				—				—				1,050			—		—			(4		)	1,046
	Balance, March 31, 2014	72,570			$	871			$	854,385			$	219,497			$	(3,379	)	14,577		$	(53,568	)	$	456		$	1,018,262
Dividends Declared	'
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013, respectively, GEO declared and paid the following regular cash distributions to its stockholders as follows:
	Declaration Date		Payment Due		Record Date		Distribution Per Share		Aggregate Payment Amount (in millions)
	January 17, 2013		1-Mar-13		February 15, 2013		$0.50		$35.70
	May 7, 2013		June 3, 2013		May 20, 2013		$0.50		$35.80
	July 30, 2013		August 29, 2013		August 19, 2013		$0.50		$36.10
	November 1, 2013		November 26, 2013		November 14, 2013		$0.55		$39.60
	February 18, 2014		March 14, 2014		March 3, 2014		$0.57		$41.10
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to GEO included in the consolidated statement of shareholders' equity are as follows:
			Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
			(In thousands)
			Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. [1]				Unrealized (loss)/gain on derivatives, net of tax				Pension adjustments, net of tax				Total
	Balance, December 31, 2013		$	(2,441	)		$	(274	)		$	(1,714	)		$	(4,429	)
	Current-period other comprehensive (loss) income		1,004				27				19				1,050
	Balance, March 31, 2014		$	(1,437	)		$	(247	)		$	(1,695	)		$	(3,379	)
	[1] The foreign currency translation related to noncontrolling interests was not significant at March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

Equity_Incentive_Plans_Tables

Equity Incentive Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of the activity of stock option awards	'
	A summary of the activity of stock option awards issued and outstanding under Company plans is as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Shares		Wtd. Avg.		Wtd. Avg.	Aggregate
				Exercise		Remaining	Intrinsic
				Price		Contractual Term (years)	Value
		(in thousands)					(in thousands)
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2013	849		$	19.67	6.39	$	10,654
	Options granted	223		32.41
	Options exercised	(177	)	19
	Options forfeited/canceled/expired	(7	)	32.17
	Options outstanding at March 31, 2014	888		$	22.99	7.16	$	8,309
	Options vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2014	852		$	22.67	7.06	$	8,173
	Options exercisable at March 31, 2014	545		$	20.29	6.17	$	6,515
Summary of the activity of restricted stock	'
	A summary of the activity of restricted stock outstanding is as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Shares		Wtd. Avg.
				Grant  Date
				Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Restricted stock outstanding at December 31, 2013	734		$	26.87
	Granted	308		32.23
	Vested	(125	)	21.34
	Forfeited/canceled	—		—
	Restricted stock outstanding at March 31, 2014	917		$	27.8

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Basic and diluted earnings per share	'
	Basic and diluted income per common share from were calculated for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13
	Net Income	$	27,996		$	23,438
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6		)	(18		)
	Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	27,990			23,420
	Basic earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.:
	Weighted average shares outstanding	71,449			70,850
	Per share amount	$	0.39		$	0.33
	Diluted earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.:
	Weighted average shares outstanding	71,449			70,850
	Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and restricted stock	446			562
	Weighted average shares assuming dilution	71,895			71,412
	Per share amount	$	0.39		$	0.33

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Debt	'
	Debt outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Senior Credit Facility:
	Term loan	$	297,750		$	298,500
	Revolver	335,000			340,000
	Total Senior Credit Facility	632,750			$	638,500
	5.125% Senior Notes:
	Notes due in 2023	300,000			300,000
	5⅞% Senior Notes
	Notes Due in 2022	250,000			250,000
	6.625% Senior Notes:
	Notes due in 2021	300,000			300,000
	Non-Recourse Debt :
	Non-Recourse Debt	84,633			85,091
	Unamortized discount on Non-Recourse Debt	(893		)	(960		)
	Total Non-Recourse Debt	83,740			84,131
	Capital Lease Obligations	11,674			11,924
	Other debt	193			221
	Total debt	1,578,357			1,584,776
	Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	(22,527		)	(22,163		)
	Capital Lease Obligations, long-term portion	(10,665		)	(10,924		)
	Non-Recourse Debt	(65,377		)	(66,153		)
	Long-Term Debt	$	1,479,788		$	1,485,536
Indebtedness under the revolver and the term loan A and term loan A -2 bears interest	'
	Indebtedness under the Revolver bears interest based on the Total Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, as of the most recent determination date, as defined, in each of the instances below at the stated rate:
	LIBOR borrowings		LIBOR plus 1.75% to 2.75%.
	Base rate borrowings		Prime Rate plus 0.75% to 1.75%.
	Letters of credit		1.75% to 2.75%.
	Unused Revolver		0.35% to 0.375%.

Business_Segments_and_Geograph1

Business Segments and Geographic Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Operating and Reporting Segments	'
	The Company's segment revenues from external customers and a measure of segment profit are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13
	Revenues:
	U.S. Corrections & Detention	$	266,715			$	248,772
	GEO Community Services	76,652				73,941
	International Services	49,770				54,318
	Total revenues	$	393,137			$	377,031
	Operating income:
	U.S. Corrections & Detention (1)	$	58,810			$	54,092
	GEO Community Services (1)	15,701				17,405
	International Services	2,561				1,802
	Operating income from segments	$	77,072			$	73,299
Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments	'
	The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s total operating income from its reportable segments to the Company’s income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended
			31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13
	Total operating income from segments		$	77,072			$	73,299
	Unallocated amounts:
	General and Administrative Expenses		(28,502		)		(32,040		)
	Net Interest Expense		(19,920		)		(18,157		)
	Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		$	28,650			$	23,102

Benefit_Plans_Tables

Benefit Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Company Plan Benefit Expense	'
	The following table summarizes key information related to the Company’s pension plans and retirement agreements (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014			Year Ended December 2013
	Change in Projected Benefit Obligation
	Projected benefit obligation, beginning of period	$	20,032		$	19,761
	Service cost	204			925
	Interest cost	234			829
	Actuarial gain	—			(1,229		)
	Benefits paid	(78		)	(254		)
	Projected benefit obligation, end of period	$	20,392		$	20,032
	Change in Plan Assets
	Plan assets at fair value, beginning of period	$	—		$	—
	Company contributions	78			254
	Benefits paid	(78		)	(254		)
	Plan assets at fair value, end of period	$	—		$	—
	Unfunded Status of the Plan	$	(20,392	)	$	(20,032	)
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13
	Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
	Service cost	$	204		$	231
	Interest cost	234			207
	Net loss	—			66
	Net periodic pension cost	$	438		$	504

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014															Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'															'
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME	'															'
																CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
																(dollars in thousands)
																(unaudited)
																	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
																	The GEO Group, Inc.			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
																				Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor
																				Guarantors			Subsidiaries
																Revenues	$	134,754		$	314,985		$	52,331		$	(108,933	)	$	393,137
																Operating expenses	107,222			250,680			42,954			(108,933		)	291,923
																Depreciation and amortization	6,406			16,634			1,102			—			24,142
																General and administrative expenses	9,339			15,536			3,627			—			28,502
																Operating income (loss)	11,787			32,135			4,648			—			48,570
																Interest income	5,536			436			679			(5,919		)	732
																Interest expense	(11,074		)	(13,763		)	(1,734		)	5,919			(20,652		)
																Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	6,249			18,808			3,593			—			28,650
																Income tax provision	—			1,294			844			—			2,138
																Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	—			—			1,484			—			1,484
																Income before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	6,249			17,514			4,233			—			27,996
																Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision	21,747			—			—			(21,747		)	—
																Net income	27,996			17,514			4,233			(21,747		)	27,996
																Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(6		)	—			(6		)
																Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$	27,996		$	17,514		$	4,227		$	(21,747	)	$	27,990
																Net income	$	27,996		$	17,514		$	4,233		$	(21,747	)	$	27,996
																Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—			19			1,027			—			1,046
																Total comprehensive income	$	27,996		$	17,533		$	5,260		$	(21,747	)	$	29,042
																Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(2		)	—			(2		)
																Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$	27,996		$	17,533		$	5,258		$	(21,747	)	$	29,040
																CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
																(dollars in thousands)
																(unaudited)
																	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
																	The GEO Group, Inc.			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
																				Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor
																				Guarantors			Subsidiaries
																Revenues	$	113,491		$	312,528		$	57,385		$	(106,373	)	$	377,031
																Operating expenses	99,409			240,477			47,284			(106,373		)	280,797
																Depreciation and amortization	5,824			15,881			1,230			—			22,935
																General and administrative expenses	9,197			18,192			4,651			—			32,040
																Operating income (loss)	(939		)	37,978			4,220			—			41,259
																Interest income	3,960			550			1,096			(4,422		)	1,184
																Interest expense	(9,920		)	(11,431		)	(2,412		)	4,422			(19,341		)
																Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	(6,899		)	27,097			2,904			—			23,102
																Income tax (benefit) provision	(667		)	406			1,142			—			881
																Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	—			—			1,217			—			1,217
																Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	(6,232		)	26,691			2,979			—			23,438
																Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision	29,670			—			—			(29,670		)	—
																Net income	23,438			26,691			2,979			(29,670		)	23,438
																Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(18		)	—			(18		)
																Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$	23,438		$	26,691		$	2,961		$	(29,670	)	$	23,420
																Net income	$	23,438		$	26,691		$	2,979		$	(29,670	)	$	23,438
																Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	—			40			(1,220		)	—			(1,180		)
																Total comprehensive income	$	23,438		$	26,731		$	1,759		$	(29,670	)	$	22,258
																Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			23			—			23
																Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$	23,438		$	26,731		$	1,782		$	(29,670	)	$	22,281
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET	'															'
		As of March 31, 2014
		The GEO Group, Inc.			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor
					Guarantors			Subsidiaries
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,498		$	3,835		$	26,730		$	—		$	38,063
	Restricted cash and investments	—			—			14,094			—			14,094
	Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	95,584			160,974			19,206			—			275,764
	Current deferred income tax assets	—			19,236			1,700			—			20,936
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,169			17,956			15,906			(1,154		)	39,877
	Total current assets	110,251			202,001			77,636			(1,154		)	388,734
	Restricted Cash and Investments	185			11,874			7,269			—			19,328
	Property and Equipment, Net	687,560			954,677			84,632			—			1,726,869
	Direct Finance Lease Receivable	—			—			15,869			—			15,869
	Intercompany Receivable	932,983			142,703			(24		)	(1,075,662		)	—
	Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets	—			—			4,821			—			4,821
	Goodwill	34			493,189			688			—			493,911
	Intangible Assets, Net	—			165,925			1,208			—			167,133
	Investment in Subsidiaries	928,874			392,972			4			(1,321,850		)	—
	Other Non-Current Assets	21,813			104,700			37,297			(79,687		)	84,123
	Total Assets	$	2,681,700		$	2,468,041		$	229,400		$	(2,478,353	)	$	2,900,788
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Accounts payable	$	7,970		$	40,770		$	3,657		$	—		$	52,397
	Accrued payroll and related taxes	207			32,540			16,366			—			49,113
	Accrued expenses and other	36,088			62,812			18,774			(1,154		)	116,520
	Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	3,000			1,163			18,364			—			22,527
	Current liabilities of discontinued operations	—			—			—			—			—
	Total current liabilities	47,265			137,285			57,161			(1,154		)	240,557
	Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	(2,230		)	16,902			17			—			14,689
	Intercompany Payable	133,555			927,791			14,315			(1,075,661		)	—
	Other Non-Current Liabilities	5,516			140,148			5,566			(79,780		)	71,450
	Capital Lease Obligations	—			10,665			—			—			10,665
	Long-Term Debt	1,479,788			—			—			—			1,479,788
	Non-Recourse Debt	—			—			65,377			—			65,377
	Commitments & Contingencies and Other
	Shareholders' Equity:
	The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	1,017,806			1,235,250			86,508			(1,321,758		)	1,017,806
	Noncontrolling Interests	—			—			456			—			456
	Total Shareholders’ Equity	1,017,806			1,235,250			86,964			(1,321,758		)	1,018,262
	Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	2,681,700		$	2,468,041		$	229,400		$	(2,478,353	)	$	2,900,788
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	(dollars in thousands)
		As of December 31, 2013
		The GEO Group, Inc.			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor
					Guarantors			Subsidiaries
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	30,730		$	985		$	20,410		$	—		$	52,125
	Restricted cash and investments	—			—			11,518			—			11,518
	Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	84,087			149,239			17,204			—			250,530
	Current deferred income tax assets	—			19,236			1,700			—			20,936
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	17,834			21,032			11,524			(1,154		)	49,236
	Total current assets	132,651			190,492			62,356			(1,154		)	384,345
	Restricted Cash and Investments	167			11,158			7,024			—			18,349
	Property and Equipment, Net	686,005			956,724			85,069			—			1,727,798
	Direct Finance Lease Receivable	—			—			16,944			—			16,944
	Intercompany Receivable	947,916			123,237			—			(1,071,153		)	—
	Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets	—			—			4,821			—			4,821
	Goodwill	34			489,501			661			—			490,196
	Intangible Assets, Net	—			162,160			1,240			—			163,400
	Investment in Subsidiaries	898,333			421,218			—			(1,319,551		)	—
	Other Non-Current Assets	23,346			104,241			35,615			(79,691		)	83,511
	Total Assets	$	2,688,452		$	2,458,731		$	213,730		$	(2,471,549	)	$	2,889,364
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	$	29,866		$	13,895		$	3,525		$	—		$	47,286
Accrued payroll and related taxes	207			23,470			15,049			—			38,726
Accrued expenses and other	26,963			74,645			14,496			(1,154		)	114,950
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	3,000			1,185			17,978			—			22,163
Total current liabilities	60,036			113,195			51,048			(1,154		)	223,125
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	(120		)	14,792			17			—			14,689
Intercompany Payable	114,208			942,666			14,279			(1,071,153		)	—
Other Non-Current Liabilities	5,270			138,743			639			(79,691		)	64,961
Capital Lease Obligations	—			10,924			—			—			10,924
Long-Term Debt	1,485,536			—			—			—			1,485,536
Non-Recourse Debt	—			—			66,153			—			66,153
Commitments & Contingencies and Other
Shareholders' Equity:
The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	1,023,522			1,238,411			81,140			(1,319,551		)	1,023,522
Noncontrolling Interests	—			—			454			—			454
Total Shareholders’ Equity	1,023,522			1,238,411			81,594			(1,319,551		)	1,023,976
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	2,688,452		$	2,458,731		$	213,730		$	(2,471,549	)	$	2,889,364
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS	'															'
		For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		The GEO Group, Inc.			Combined			Combined			Consolidated
					Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor
					Guarantors			Subsidiaries
	Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	28,511		$	25,116		$	9,525		$	63,152
	Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
	Acquisition of Protocol, cash consideration	—			(13,000		)	—			(13,000		)
	Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	—			165			—			165
	Change in restricted cash and investments	(185		)	(549		)	(2,539		)	(3,273		)
	Capital expenditures	(8,586		)	(8,642		)	(303		)	(17,531		)
	Net cash used in investing activities	(8,771		)	(22,026		)	(2,842		)	(33,639		)
	Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
	Proceeds from long-term debt	103,000			—			—			103,000
	Payments on long-term debt	(108,750		)	(240		)	(1,403		)	(110,393		)
	Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock in connection with ESPP	84			—			—			84
	Tax benefit related to equity compensation	558			—			—			558
	Proceeds from stock options exercised	3,275			—			—			3,275
	Cash dividends paid	(41,139		)	—			—			(41,139		)
	Net cash used in financing activities	(42,972		)	(240		)	(1,403		)	(44,615		)
	Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	—			—			1,040			1,040
	Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(23,232		)	2,850			6,320			(14,062		)
	Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	30,730			985			20,410			52,125
	Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	$	7,498		$	3,835		$	26,730		$	38,063
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	(dollars in thousands)
	(unaudited)
		For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		The GEO Group, Inc.			Combined			Combined			Consolidated
					Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor
					Guarantors			Subsidiaries
	Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
	Net cash provided by operating activities	8,032			26,708			10,697			45,437
	Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
	Acquisition of BI and Cornell, cash consideration, net of cash acquired	—			—			—			—
	Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	—			4			—			4
	Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	—			1,602			—			1,602
	Change in restricted cash and investments	(124		)	(1,145		)	3,599			2,330
	Capital expenditures	(1,414		)	(9,624		)	(364		)	(11,402		)
	Cash (used in) provided by investing activities - continuing operations	(1,538		)	(9,163		)	3,235			(7,466		)
	Cash used in investing activities - discontinued operations	—			—			—			—
	Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(1,538		)	(9,163		)	3,235			(7,466		)
	Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
	Proceeds from long-term debt	410,000			—			—			410,000
	Payments on long-term debt	(351,153		)	(377		)	(6,908		)	(358,438		)
	Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock in connection with ESPP	66			—			—			66
	Debt issuance costs	(5,650		)	—			—			(5,650		)
	Tax benefit related to equity compensation	1,127			—			—			1,127
	Proceeds from stock options exercised	3,049			—			—			3,049
	Cash dividends paid	(35,711		)	—			—			(35,711		)
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	21,728			(377		)	(6,908		)	14,443
	Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	—			—			(445		)	(445		)
	Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	28,222			17,168			6,579			51,969
	Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	4,764			1,917			25,074			31,755
	Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	$	32,986		$	19,085		$	31,653		$	83,724

Basis_of_Presentation_Details_

Basis of Presentation (Details Textual)	Mar. 31, 2014
	agency
	state
	person
	bed
	facility
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Number of beds	77,000
Correctional, detention and residential treatment facilities including projects under development	98
Provision of monitoring services tracking offenders (more than 70,000)	70,000
Number of federal, state and local correctional agencies to which company provides monitoring services	900
Number of states in which entity operates	50

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 25, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				Facility management contracts	Facility management contracts	Technology	Technology	Trade names	Trade names
Schedule of Finite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted Average Useful Life (years)	'	'	'	'13 years 4 months 24 days	'	'7 years	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	'	'	'	$156,756	$151,604	$22,012	$21,200	'	'
Accumulated Amortization	-57,035	'	-53,404	-47,520	-44,646	-9,515	-8,758	0	0
Net Carrying Amount	121,733	'	'	109,236	106,958	12,497	12,442	'	'
Trade name (Indefinite lived)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	45,400	44,000
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	224,168	'	216,804	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$167,133	$7,400	$163,400	'	'	'	'	'	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Estimated amortization expense for the remainder	'
Remainder of 2014	$12,087
2015	15,719
2016	15,719
2017	15,719
2018	13,019
Thereafter	49,470
Net Carrying Amount	$121,733

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details Textual) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 25, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Purchase price	$13,000,000	'	'	'
Amortization expense	'	3,600,000	3,700,000	'
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	7,400,000	167,133,000	'	163,400,000
Goodwill	$3,700,000	$493,911,000	'	$490,196,000
Facility management contracts	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Weighted average period	'	'1 year 4 months 24 days	'	'

Financial_Instruments_Details

Financial Instruments (Details) (Recurring [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Restricted investments:	'	'
Guaranteed Investment Contract	$5,742	$5,742
Rabbi Trust	10,325	9,534
Fixed income securities	1,970	1,993
Liabilities:	'	'
Interest rate swap derivative liabilities	352	390
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)	'	'
Restricted investments:	'	'
Guaranteed Investment Contract	0	0
Rabbi Trust	0	0
Fixed income securities	0	0
Liabilities:	'	'
Interest rate swap derivative liabilities	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'	'
Restricted investments:	'	'
Guaranteed Investment Contract	5,742	5,742
Rabbi Trust	10,325	9,534
Fixed income securities	1,970	1,993
Liabilities:	'	'
Interest rate swap derivative liabilities	352	390
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'	'
Restricted investments:	'	'
Guaranteed Investment Contract	0	0
Rabbi Trust	0	0
Fixed income securities	0	0
Liabilities:	'	'
Interest rate swap derivative liabilities	$0	$0

Fair_Value_of_Assets_and_Liabi2

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$38,063,000	$52,125,000	$83,724,000	$31,755,000
Carrying Value	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	38,063,000	52,125,000	'	'
Restricted cash	17,356,000	14,592,000	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Borrowings under senior credit facility	632,750,000	638,500,000	'	'
Carrying Value | 5.875% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Senior Notes	250,000,000	250,000,000	'	'
Carrying Value | 6.625% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Senior Notes	300,000,000	300,000,000	'	'
Carrying Value | 5.125% Senior Notes	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Senior Notes	300,000,000	300,000,000	'	'
Carrying Value | Other non recourse debt including current portion [Member]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Non-recourse debt	60,351,000	60,235,000	'	'
Total Fair Value	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	38,063,000	52,125,000	'	'
Restricted cash	17,356,000	14,592,000	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Borrowings under senior credit facility	633,867,000	639,246,000	'	'
Total Fair Value | 5.875% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	257,345,000	265,938,000	'	'
Total Fair Value | 6.625% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	322,500,000	317,064,000	'	'
Total Fair Value | 5.125% Senior Notes	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	295,875,000	279,000,000	'	'
Total Fair Value | Other non recourse debt including current portion [Member]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Non-recourse debt	62,691,000	62,319,000	'	'
Level 1	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	38,063,000	52,125,000	'	'
Restricted cash	3,675,000	1,838,000	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Borrowings under senior credit facility	0	0	'	'
Level 1 | 5.875% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0	'	'
Level 1 | 6.625% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0	'	'
Level 1 | 5.125% Senior Notes	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0	'	'
Level 1 | Other non recourse debt including current portion [Member]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Non-recourse debt	0	0	'	'
Level 2	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	'	'
Restricted cash	13,681,000	12,754,000	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Borrowings under senior credit facility	633,867,000	639,246,000	'	'
Level 2 | 5.875% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	257,345,000	265,938,000	'	'
Level 2 | 6.625% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	322,500,000	317,064,000	'	'
Level 2 | 5.125% Senior Notes	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	295,875,000	279,000,000	'	'
Level 2 | Other non recourse debt including current portion [Member]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Non-recourse debt	62,691,000	62,319,000	'	'
Level 3	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	'	'
Restricted cash	0	0	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Borrowings under senior credit facility	0	0	'	'
Level 3 | 5.875% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0	'	'
Level 3 | 6.625% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0	'	'
Level 3 | 5.125% Senior Notes	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0	'	'
Level 3 | Other non recourse debt including current portion [Member]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Non-recourse debt	0	0	'	'
Australian subsidiary | Carrying Value	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Non-recourse debt	23,389,000	23,896,000	'	'
Australian subsidiary | Total Fair Value	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Non-recourse debt	23,840,000	24,439,000	'	'
Australian subsidiary | Level 1	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Non-recourse debt	0	0	'	'
Australian subsidiary | Level 2	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Non-recourse debt	23,840,000	24,439,000	'	'
Australian subsidiary | Level 3	'	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Non-recourse debt	$0	$0	'	'

Fair_Value_of_Assets_and_Liabi3

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Details Textual) (Senior Notes)	Mar. 31, 2014	Oct. 03, 2013
7.75% Senior Notes	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	7.75%	'
5.875% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	5.88%	5.88%
6.625% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	6.63%	'
5.125% Senior Notes	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	5.13%	'

Shareholders_Equity_Details

Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
			Common shares	Additional Paid-In Capital	Earnings in Excess of Distributions	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury shares	Noncontrolling Interests	Stockholders' Equity, Total
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Minimum Percentage Of Taxable Income To Be Distributed As REIT	90.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	$1,023,976	'	$866	$848,018	$232,646	($4,429)	($53,579)	$454	$1,023,976
Beginning Balance, shares	'	'	72,082	'	'	'	14,580	'	'
Proceeds from exercise of stock options , value	3,275	'	2	3,273	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from exercise of stock options , shares	177	'	177	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tax benefit related to equity compensation	558	'	'	558	'	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation expense	452	'	'	452	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock granted, value	0	'	3	-3	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock granted, shares	'	'	308	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization of restricted stock	2,014	'	'	2,014	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends paid	-41,139	'	'	'	-41,139	'	'	'	'
Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP), value	84	'	'	73	0	'	11	'	'
Re-issuance of treasury shares (ESPP), shares	'	'	3	'	'	'	-3	'	'
Net income	27,996	23,438	'	'	27,990	'	'	6	'
Other comprehensive loss	1,046	-1,180	'	'	'	1,050	'	-4	'
Ending Balance	$1,018,262	'	$871	$854,385	$219,497	($3,379)	($53,568)	$456	$1,023,976
Ending Balance, shares	'	'	72,570	'	'	'	14,577	'	'

Dividends_declared_Details

Dividends declared (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 18, 2014	Nov. 01, 2013	Jul. 30, 2013	7-May-13	Jan. 17, 2013
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Dividends declared/paid [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share	$0.57	$0.55	$0.50	$0.50	$0.50
Dividends Payable	$41.10	$39.60	$36.10	$35.80	$35.70

Shareholders_Equity_Components

Shareholders' Equity Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		8-May-13
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'		'
Beginning balance	($4,429,000)		'
Other comprehensive income (loss), attributable to Parent	1,050,000		'
Ending Balance	-3,379,000		'
Maximum common stock value authorized under prospectus supplement	'		100,000,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	'		'
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'		'
Beginning balance	-2,441,000	[1]	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), attributable to Parent	1,004,000	[1]	'
Ending Balance	-1,437,000	[1]	'
Unrealized (loss)/gain on derivatives, net of tax	'		'
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'		'
Beginning balance	-274,000		'
Other comprehensive income (loss), attributable to Parent	27,000		'
Ending Balance	-247,000		'
Pension adjustments, net of tax	'		'
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'		'
Beginning balance	-1,714,000		'
Other comprehensive income (loss), attributable to Parent	19,000		'
Ending Balance	($1,695,000)		'
[1]	The foreign currency translation related to noncontrolling interests was not significant at March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

Equity_Incentive_Plans_Details

Equity Incentive Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of the activity of stock option awards	'	'
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance, Shares	849	'
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price	$19.67	'
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance, Wtd. Avg., Remaining Contractual Term	'7 years 1 month 28 days	'6 years 4 months 21 days
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$10,654	'
Options granted, Shares	223	'
Options granted, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price	$32.41	'
Options exercised, Shares	-177	'
Options exercised, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price	$19	'
Options forfeited/canceled/expired, Shares	-7	'
Options forfeited/canceled/expired, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price	$32.17	'
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Shares	888	849
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price	$22.99	$19.67
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Wtd. Avg., Remaining Contractual Term	'7 years 1 month 28 days	'6 years 4 months 21 days
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	8,309	10,654
Options vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2014, Shares	852	'
Options vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2014, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price	$22.67	'
Options vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2014, Wtd. Avg., Remaining Contractual Term	'7 years 0 months 22 days	'
Options vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2014, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	8,173	'
Options exercisable at March 31, 2014 Shares	545	'
Options exercisable at March 31, 2014, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price	$20.29	'
Options exercisable at March 31, 2014, Wtd. Avg. Remaining Contractual Term	'6 years 2 months 1 day	'
Options exercisable at March 31, 2014, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$6,515	'

Equity_Incentive_Plans_Details1

Equity Incentive Plans (Details 1) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock [Member]	'
Summary of the activity of restricted stock	'
Restricted stock outstanding shares, Beginning Balance	734,000
Restricted stock outstanding Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$26.87
Granted shares	308,000
Granted Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value	$32.23
Vested shares	-125,000
Vested Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value	$21.34
Forfeited/canceled shares	0
Forfeited/canceled Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value	$0
Restricted stock outstanding shares, Ending Balance	917,000
Restricted stock outstanding Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$27.80

Equity_Incentive_Plans_Details2

Equity Incentive Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Expected volatility rate	28.92%	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	'4 years 9 months 26 days	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	1.44%	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	7.00%	'
Number of annual performance metrics	2	'
Beta of Portfolio	0.74	'
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Share based compensation expense	$2	$1.30
Unrecognized compensation costs related to non vested stock option awards	21.4	'
Expected weighted average period to recognize expense	'4 years 0 months 0 days	'
Vesting period	'3 years	'
Granted shares	308,000	'
Restricted Stock [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Vesting period	'3 years	'
Restricted Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Vesting period	'4 years	'
Vesting rights, percentage weighted towards earnings per share performance	75.00%	'
Award vesting rights, percentage weighted towards capital performance targets	25.00%	'
Employee Stock [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Discount on purchase of Common Stock for employee from the current market price	5.00%	'
Maximum Shares Authorized Under ESPP for Sale Offer to Eligible Employees	500,000	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	2,657	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Share based compensation expense	0.5	0.4
Unrecognized compensation costs related to non vested stock option awards	$1.60	'
Expected weighted average period to recognize expense	'2 years 2 months 12 days	'
Performance Based Share [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Vesting percentage of target	0.00%	'
Performance Based Share [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Vesting percentage of target	200.00%	'
2014 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Shares available for issuance	3,083,353	'
Common stock available for the issuance of awards	2,000,000	'
2006 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Common stock available for the issuance of awards	1,083,353	'
Certain Employees and Executive Officers [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Granted shares	307,900	'
Certain Employees and Executive Officers [Member] | Performance Based Share [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Granted shares	90,000	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]	'	'
Net Income	$27,996	$23,438
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-6	-18
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$27,990	$23,420
Basic earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.:	'	'
Weighted average shares outstanding	71,449,000	70,850,000
Per share amount	$0.39	$0.33
Diluted earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.:	'	'
Weighted average shares outstanding	71,449,000	70,850,000
Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and restricted stock	446,000	562,000
Weighted average shares assuming dilution	71,895,000	71,412,000
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.39	$0.33
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'
Basic and diluted earnings per share (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	0	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'
Basic and diluted earnings per share (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	17,070	0

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	USD ($)	USD ($)	Interest Rate Swap	Other Liabilities [Member]	Other Liabilities [Member]
			AUD	USD ($)	USD ($)
Interest Rate Swaps [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Notional amount coincide with the terms of the non-recourse debt	'	'	50,900,000	'	'
Fixed interest rate on cash flow interest rate derivative	9.70%	'	'	'	'
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	'	'	'	-400,000	-400,000
Ineffective portion of Cash Flow Hedge interest rate swap	$0	$0	'	'	'

Variable_Interest_Entities_And

Variable Interest Entities And Investment In Affiliates (Details Textual)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	USD ($)	USD ($)	South African Custodial Services Pty Limited	South African Custodial Services Pty Limited	Geo Amey	Geo Amey	Geo Amey
			USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	GBP (£)	USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Property and equipment, net	$1,726,869,000	$1,727,798,000	'	'	'	'	'
Ownership percentage in South African Custodial Services Pty. Limited	'	'	50.00%	'	50.00%	50.00%	'
Equity Method Investments	'	'	9,200,000	8,100,000	-2,600,000	'	-3,000,000
Working Capital Line of Credit Issued to GEO Amey	'	'	'	'	'	12,000,000	'
Due from Affiliate, Noncurrent	'	'	'	'	$20,000,000	£ 12,000,000	'

Debt_Outstanding_Details

Debt Outstanding (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Term loan	$297,750	$298,500
Revolver	335,000	340,000
Total Senior Credit Facility	632,750	638,500
Capital Lease Obligations	11,674	11,924
Other debt	193	221
Total debt	1,578,357	1,584,776
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	-22,527	-22,163
Capital Lease Obligations, long-term portion	-10,665	-10,924
Non-Recourse Debt	-65,377	-66,153
Long-Term Debt	1,479,788	1,485,536
Non Recourse Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Non-Recourse Debt	84,633	85,091
Unamortized discount on Non-Recourse Debt	-893	-960
Total Non-Recourse Debt	83,740	84,131
5.125% Senior Notes | Senior Notes	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	300,000	300,000
5.875% Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	250,000	250,000
6.625% Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	$300,000	$300,000

Debt_Senior_Credit_Facility_De

Debt Senior Credit Facility (Details) (USD $)

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Apr. 03, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Apr. 03, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Apr. 03, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Term Loan A

Term Loan A2

Term Loan B [Member]

Term Loan B [Member]

Revolver [Member]

Revolver [Member]

Letter of Credit

Additional Revolver

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Term Loan B [Member]

Term Loan B [Member]

Revolver [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Face amount

'

'

'

'

'

$300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basis spread on variable rate

'

'

2.75%

2.75%

2.75%

'

2.75%

'

'

'

2.50%

'

2.50%

2.75%

Floor interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.75%

'

'

Current borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

700,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowing capacity increase

350,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

304,000,000

'

'

'

'

Term loan

297,750,000

298,500,000

'

'

297,750,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

61,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Revolver

$335,000,000

$340,000,000

'

'

'

'

$335,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate

2.90%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Leverage Ratio

5.75

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Secured Leverage Ratio

3.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Coverage Ratio

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_Credit_Facility_Interest_

Debt Credit Facility Interest Rates (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Term Loan B [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Basis spread on variable rate	2.75%
Revolver [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Basis spread on variable rate	2.75%
Minimum [Member] | Letter of Credit	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	1.75%
Minimum [Member] | Unused Revolver	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	0.35%
Maximum [Member] | Letter of Credit	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	2.75%
Maximum [Member] | Unused Revolver	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	0.38%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Term Loan B [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Basis spread on variable rate	2.50%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Revolver [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Basis spread on variable rate	2.50%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Basis spread on variable rate	1.75%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Basis spread on variable rate	2.75%
Base Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Basis spread on variable rate	0.75%
Base Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Basis spread on variable rate	1.75%

Debt_Senior_Notes_Details

Debt Senior Notes (Details)	Mar. 31, 2014	Oct. 03, 2013
5.125% Senior Notes | Senior Notes	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	5.13%	'
5.875% Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	5.88%	5.88%
6.625% Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	6.63%	'
Senior Notes Due 2013 | Senior Notes	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	7.75%	'
Senior Note Due 2017 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	'	7.75%
Senior Notes Due January 15, 2022	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Coupon rate	'	5.88%
Yield to maturity	'	5.88%

Debt_NonRecourse_Debt_Details

Debt Non-Recourse Debt (Details)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 03, 2013
	Non Recourse Debt Two Thousand Three Revenue Bonds [Member]	Non Recourse Debt Northwest Detention Center [Member]	Non Recourse Debt Two Thousand Eleven Revenue Bonds [Member]	Australian Subsidiaries Non Recourse Debt [Member]	Australian Subsidiaries Non Recourse Debt [Member]	Australian Subsidiaries Non Recourse Debt [Member]	Australian Subsidiaries Non Recourse Debt [Member]	Senior Note Due 2017 [Member]
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	AUD	USD ($)	AUD
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Face amount	$57,000,000	'	$54,400,000	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	'	4.10%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	'	5.25%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Current Portion of Non recourse Debt	'	11,800,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	'	14,100,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total Non-Recourse Debt	'	61,200,000	'	23,400,000	25,300,000	23,900,000	26,900,000	'
Basis spread on variable rate	'	'	'	1.40%	1.40%	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Terms	'	'	'	'variable rate quoted by certain Australian banks plus 140 basis points	'variable rate quoted by certain Australian banks plus 140 basis points	'	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	'	'	'	$4,600,000	5,000,000	'	'	'
Interest rate	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7.75%

Debt_Guarantees_Details

Debt Guarantees (Details)	3 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
	ZAR	USD ($)	CAD	USD ($)	Geo Amey	Geo Amey
		guarantee			USD ($)	GBP (£)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	26,700,000	$2,500,000	'	'	'	'
Working Capital Line of Credit Issued to GEO Amey	'	'	'	'	'	12,000,000
Remaining Guarantee under Letter of Credit	26,700,000	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum Loan Amount under Stand by Facility	20,000,000	1,892,400	'	'	'	'
Potential Estimated Exposure of tax obligations	'	2,300,000	2,500,000	'	'	'
Liability Related to Potential Tax Exposure	'	2,000,000	'	2,000,000	'	'
Number of letters of guarantee outstanding under separate international facilities relating to performance guarantees	'	8	8	'	'	'
Letters of Guarantee Outstanding Relating to Performance Guarantees	'	11,300,000	'	'	'	'
Ownership percentage in South African Custodial Services Pty. Limited	'	'	'	'	50.00%	50.00%
Due from Affiliate, Noncurrent	'	'	'	'	$20,000,000	£ 12,000,000

Commitments_Contingencies_And_1

Commitments, Contingencies And Other (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 03, 2014	Feb. 03, 2014	Feb. 03, 2014	Feb. 03, 2014	Feb. 02, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
	Bed	Moore Haven Correctional Facility [Member]	Bay Correctonal Facility [Member]	Graceville Correctional Facility [Member]	Rio Grande Detention Center [Member]	Rio Grande Detention Center [Member]	Services and Licensing Agreement
	facility	bed	bed	bed	bed	bed
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated construction capital project cost	$60.30	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cost already spent on existing capital projects	19.6	'	'	'	'	'	'
Remaining capital required for capital projects	40.7	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of beds in a facility	'	985	985	1,884	1,900	1,500	'
Number of vacant beds at idle facilities marketed to potential customers	5,800	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of marketed idle facilities	5	'	'	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of idle facilities marketed to potential customers	181	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales Revenue, Services, Other	'	'	'	'	'	'	$6.50
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	'	'	'	'	'	'	10.00%

Business_Segments_and_Geograph2

Business Segments and Geographic Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues:	'	'
Revenues	$393,137	$377,031
Operating Income:	'	'
Total operating income from segments	77,072	73,299
U.S. Corrections & Detention	'	'
Revenues:	'	'
Revenues	266,715	248,772
Operating Income:	'	'
Total operating income from segments	58,810	54,092
GEO Community Services	'	'
Revenues:	'	'
Revenues	76,652	73,941
Operating Income:	'	'
Total operating income from segments	15,701	17,405
International Services	'	'
Revenues:	'	'
Revenues	49,770	54,318
Operating Income:	'	'
Total operating income from segments	$2,561	$1,802

Business_Segments_and_Geograph3

Business Segments and Geographic Information (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments	'	'
Total operating income from segments	$77,072	$73,299
Unallocated Amount:	'	'
General and Administrative Expenses	-28,502	-32,040
Net Interest Expense	-19,920	-18,157
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	$28,650	$23,102

Business_Segments_and_Geograph4

Business Segments and Geographic Information (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of reportable business segment	4	'	'
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net of income tax provision	$1,484,000	$1,217,000	'
SACS	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Ownership percentage in Entity	50.00%	'	'
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net of income tax provision	1,200,000	1,300,000	'
Investment in Joint Ventures	9,200,000	'	8,100,000
Geo Amey	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Ownership percentage in Entity	50.00%	'	'
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net of income tax provision	-300,000	100,000	'
Investment in Joint Ventures	($2,600,000)	'	($3,000,000)

Benefit_Plans_Details

Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation	'	'	'
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of period	$20,032	$19,761	$19,761
Service cost	204	231	925
Interest cost	234	207	829
Actuarial loss	0	'	-1,229
Benefits paid	-78	'	-254
Projected benefit obligation, end of period	20,392	'	20,032
Change in Plan Assets	'	'	'
Plan assets at fair value, beginning of period	0	0	0
Company contributions	78	'	254
Benefits paid	-78	'	-254
Plan assets at fair value, end of period	0	'	0
Unfunded Status of the Plan	($20,392)	'	($20,032)

Benefit_Plans_Details_1

Benefit Plans (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'	'	'
Service cost	$204	$231	$925
Interest cost	234	207	829
Net loss	0	66	'
Net periodic pension cost	$438	$504	'

Benefit_Plans_Details_Textual

Benefit Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term portion of the pension liability	$19.60	$19.90

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (Subsequent Event, USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2014	Apr. 01, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
		McFArland Female CCF [Member]	Adelanto Detention Facility [Member]
		bed	bed
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash dividend per share of common stock declared	$0.57	'	'
Number of beds in a facility	'	260	1,300
Additional number of beds	'	'	640

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Revenues	$393,137	$377,031
Operating expenses	291,923	280,797
Depreciation and amortization	24,142	22,935
General and administrative expenses	28,502	32,040
Operating income	48,570	41,259
Interest income	732	1,184
Interest expense	-20,652	-19,341
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	28,650	23,102
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	2,138	881
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	1,484	1,217
Income from Continuing Operations before Equity in Income of Consolidated Subsidiaries	27,996	23,438
Equity in Income of Consolidated Subsidiaries	0	0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-6	-18
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	27,990	23,420
Net income	27,996	23,438
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,046	-1,180
Total comprehensive income	29,042	22,258
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	-2	23
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	29,040	22,281
The GEO Group, Inc.	'	'
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Revenues	134,754	113,491
Operating expenses	107,222	99,409
Depreciation and amortization	6,406	5,824
General and administrative expenses	9,339	9,197
Operating income	11,787	-939
Interest income	5,536	3,960
Interest expense	-11,074	-9,920
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	6,249	-6,899
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	0	-667
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	0	0
Income from Continuing Operations before Equity in Income of Consolidated Subsidiaries	6,249	-6,232
Equity in Income of Consolidated Subsidiaries	21,747	29,670
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	27,996	23,438
Net income	27,996	23,438
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Total comprehensive income	27,996	23,438
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	27,996	23,438
Combined Subsidiary Guarantors	'	'
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Revenues	314,985	312,528
Operating expenses	250,680	240,477
Depreciation and amortization	16,634	15,881
General and administrative expenses	15,536	18,192
Operating income	32,135	37,978
Interest income	436	550
Interest expense	-13,763	-11,431
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	18,808	27,097
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	1,294	406
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	0	0
Income from Continuing Operations before Equity in Income of Consolidated Subsidiaries	17,514	26,691
Equity in Income of Consolidated Subsidiaries	0	0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	17,514	26,691
Net income	17,514	26,691
Other comprehensive income (loss)	19	40
Total comprehensive income	17,533	26,731
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	17,533	26,731
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Revenues	52,331	57,385
Operating expenses	42,954	47,284
Depreciation and amortization	1,102	1,230
General and administrative expenses	3,627	4,651
Operating income	4,648	4,220
Interest income	679	1,096
Interest expense	-1,734	-2,412
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	3,593	2,904
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	844	1,142
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	1,484	1,217
Income from Continuing Operations before Equity in Income of Consolidated Subsidiaries	4,233	2,979
Equity in Income of Consolidated Subsidiaries	0	0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-6	-18
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	4,227	2,961
Net income	4,233	2,979
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,027	-1,220
Total comprehensive income	5,260	1,759
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	-2	23
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	5,258	1,782
Eliminations	'	'
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Revenues	-108,933	-106,373
Operating expenses	-108,933	-106,373
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
General and administrative expenses	0	0
Operating income	0	0
Interest income	-5,919	-4,422
Interest expense	5,919	4,422
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	0	0
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	0	0
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	0	0
Income from Continuing Operations before Equity in Income of Consolidated Subsidiaries	0	0
Equity in Income of Consolidated Subsidiaries	-21,747	-29,670
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	-21,747	-29,670
Net income	-21,747	-29,670
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Total comprehensive income	-21,747	-29,670
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	($21,747)	($29,670)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 2) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 25, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$38,063	'	$52,125	$83,724	$31,755
Restricted cash and investments, current	14,094	'	11,518	'	'
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	275,764	'	250,530	'	'
Current deferred income tax assets	20,936	'	20,936	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	39,877	'	49,236	'	'
Total current assets	388,734	'	384,345	'	'
Restricted cash and investments, non-current	19,328	'	18,349	'	'
Property and equipment, net	1,726,869	'	1,727,798	'	'
Capital Leases, Lessor Balance Sheet, Net Investment in Direct Financing and Sales Type Leases, Noncurrent	15,869	'	16,944	'	'
Intercompany Receivable	0	'	0	'	'
Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net	4,821	'	4,821	'	'
Goodwill	493,911	3,700	490,196	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net	167,133	7,400	163,400	'	'
Investment in Subsidiaries	0	'	0	'	'
Other Non-Current Assets	84,123	'	83,511	'	'
Total Assets	2,900,788	'	2,889,364	'	'
Current Liabilities	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	52,397	'	47,286	'	'
Accrued payroll and related taxes	49,113	'	38,726	'	'
Accrued expenses and other	116,520	'	114,950	'	'
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	22,527	'	22,163	'	'
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	0	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	240,557	'	223,125	'	'
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	14,689	'	14,689	'	'
Intercompany Payable	0	'	0	'	'
Other Non-Current Liabilities	71,450	'	64,961	'	'
Capital Lease Obligations	10,665	'	10,924	'	'
Long-Term Debt	1,479,788	'	1,485,536	'	'
Non-recourse debt	65,377	'	66,153	'	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'	'	'	'	'
Total shareholders’ equity attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	1,017,806	'	1,023,522	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	456	'	454	'	'
Total shareholders’ equity	1,018,262	'	1,023,976	'	'
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	2,900,788	'	2,889,364	'	'
The GEO Group, Inc.	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	7,498	'	30,730	32,986	4,764
Restricted cash and investments, current	0	'	0	'	'
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	95,584	'	84,087	'	'
Current deferred income tax assets	0	'	0	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,169	'	17,834	'	'
Total current assets	110,251	'	132,651	'	'
Restricted cash and investments, non-current	185	'	167	'	'
Property and equipment, net	687,560	'	686,005	'	'
Capital Leases, Lessor Balance Sheet, Net Investment in Direct Financing and Sales Type Leases, Noncurrent	0	'	0	'	'
Intercompany Receivable	932,983	'	947,916	'	'
Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net	0	'	0	'	'
Goodwill	34	'	34	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net	0	'	0	'	'
Investment in Subsidiaries	928,874	'	898,333	'	'
Other Non-Current Assets	21,813	'	23,346	'	'
Total Assets	2,681,700	'	2,688,452	'	'
Current Liabilities	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	7,970	'	29,866	'	'
Accrued payroll and related taxes	207	'	207	'	'
Accrued expenses and other	36,088	'	26,963	'	'
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	3,000	'	3,000	'	'
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	0	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	47,265	'	60,036	'	'
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	-2,230	'	-120	'	'
Intercompany Payable	133,555	'	114,208	'	'
Other Non-Current Liabilities	5,516	'	5,270	'	'
Capital Lease Obligations	0	'	0	'	'
Long-Term Debt	1,479,788	'	1,485,536	'	'
Non-recourse debt	0	'	0	'	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'	'	'	'	'
Total shareholders’ equity attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	1,017,806	'	1,023,522	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	0	'	0	'	'
Total shareholders’ equity	1,017,806	'	1,023,522	'	'
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	2,681,700	'	2,688,452	'	'
Combined Subsidiary Guarantors	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	3,835	'	985	19,085	1,917
Restricted cash and investments, current	0	'	0	'	'
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	160,974	'	149,239	'	'
Current deferred income tax assets	19,236	'	19,236	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	17,956	'	21,032	'	'
Total current assets	202,001	'	190,492	'	'
Restricted cash and investments, non-current	11,874	'	11,158	'	'
Property and equipment, net	954,677	'	956,724	'	'
Capital Leases, Lessor Balance Sheet, Net Investment in Direct Financing and Sales Type Leases, Noncurrent	0	'	0	'	'
Intercompany Receivable	142,703	'	123,237	'	'
Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net	0	'	0	'	'
Goodwill	493,189	'	489,501	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net	165,925	'	162,160	'	'
Investment in Subsidiaries	392,972	'	421,218	'	'
Other Non-Current Assets	104,700	'	104,241	'	'
Total Assets	2,468,041	'	2,458,731	'	'
Current Liabilities	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	40,770	'	13,895	'	'
Accrued payroll and related taxes	32,540	'	23,470	'	'
Accrued expenses and other	62,812	'	74,645	'	'
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	1,163	'	1,185	'	'
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	0	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	137,285	'	113,195	'	'
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	16,902	'	14,792	'	'
Intercompany Payable	927,791	'	942,666	'	'
Other Non-Current Liabilities	140,148	'	138,743	'	'
Capital Lease Obligations	10,665	'	10,924	'	'
Long-Term Debt	0	'	0	'	'
Non-recourse debt	0	'	0	'	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'	'	'	'	'
Total shareholders’ equity attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	1,235,250	'	1,238,411	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	0	'	0	'	'
Total shareholders’ equity	1,235,250	'	1,238,411	'	'
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	2,468,041	'	2,458,731	'	'
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	26,730	'	20,410	31,653	25,074
Restricted cash and investments, current	14,094	'	11,518	'	'
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	19,206	'	17,204	'	'
Current deferred income tax assets	1,700	'	1,700	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	15,906	'	11,524	'	'
Total current assets	77,636	'	62,356	'	'
Restricted cash and investments, non-current	7,269	'	7,024	'	'
Property and equipment, net	84,632	'	85,069	'	'
Capital Leases, Lessor Balance Sheet, Net Investment in Direct Financing and Sales Type Leases, Noncurrent	15,869	'	16,944	'	'
Intercompany Receivable	-24	'	0	'	'
Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net	4,821	'	4,821	'	'
Goodwill	688	'	661	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net	1,208	'	1,240	'	'
Investment in Subsidiaries	4	'	0	'	'
Other Non-Current Assets	37,297	'	35,615	'	'
Total Assets	229,400	'	213,730	'	'
Current Liabilities	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	3,657	'	3,525	'	'
Accrued payroll and related taxes	16,366	'	15,049	'	'
Accrued expenses and other	18,774	'	14,496	'	'
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	18,364	'	17,978	'	'
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	0	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	57,161	'	51,048	'	'
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	17	'	17	'	'
Intercompany Payable	14,315	'	14,279	'	'
Other Non-Current Liabilities	5,566	'	639	'	'
Capital Lease Obligations	0	'	0	'	'
Long-Term Debt	0	'	0	'	'
Non-recourse debt	65,377	'	66,153	'	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'	'	'	'	'
Total shareholders’ equity attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	86,508	'	81,140	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	456	'	454	'	'
Total shareholders’ equity	86,964	'	81,594	'	'
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	229,400	'	213,730	'	'
Eliminations	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	'	0	'	'
Restricted cash and investments, current	0	'	0	'	'
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	0	'	0	'	'
Current deferred income tax assets	0	'	0	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-1,154	'	-1,154	'	'
Total current assets	-1,154	'	-1,154	'	'
Restricted cash and investments, non-current	0	'	0	'	'
Property and equipment, net	0	'	0	'	'
Capital Leases, Lessor Balance Sheet, Net Investment in Direct Financing and Sales Type Leases, Noncurrent	0	'	0	'	'
Intercompany Receivable	-1,075,662	'	-1,071,153	'	'
Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net	0	'	0	'	'
Goodwill	0	'	0	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net	0	'	0	'	'
Investment in Subsidiaries	-1,321,850	'	-1,319,551	'	'
Other Non-Current Assets	-79,687	'	-79,691	'	'
Total Assets	-2,478,353	'	-2,471,549	'	'
Current Liabilities	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	0	'	0	'	'
Accrued payroll and related taxes	0	'	0	'	'
Accrued expenses and other	-1,154	'	-1,154	'	'
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	0	'	0	'	'
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	0	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	-1,154	'	-1,154	'	'
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	0	'	0	'	'
Intercompany Payable	-1,075,661	'	-1,071,153	'	'
Other Non-Current Liabilities	-79,780	'	-79,691	'	'
Capital Lease Obligations	0	'	0	'	'
Long-Term Debt	0	'	0	'	'
Non-recourse debt	0	'	0	'	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'	'	'	'	'
Total shareholders’ equity attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	-1,321,758	'	-1,319,551	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	0	'	0	'	'
Total shareholders’ equity	-1,321,758	'	-1,319,551	'	'
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	($2,478,353)	'	($2,471,549)	'	'

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	$63,152	$45,437
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:	'	'
Acquisition , cash consideration	13,000	'
Payments to Acquire Assets, Investing Activities	'	0
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	165	4
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	0	1,602
Change in restricted cash and investments	-3,273	2,330
Capital expenditures	-17,531	-11,402
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities - continuing operations	'	-7,466
Cash used in investing activities - discontinued operations	'	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-33,639	-7,466
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:	'	'
Proceeds from long-term debt	103,000	410,000
Payments on long-term debt	-110,393	-358,438
Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock in connection with ESPP	84	66
Debt issuance costs	0	-5,650
Income tax benefit related to equity compensation	558	1,127
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	3,275	3,049
Cash dividends paid	-41,139	-35,711
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-44,615	14,443
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	1,040	-445
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-14,062	51,969
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	52,125	31,755
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	38,063	83,724
The GEO Group, Inc.	'	'
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	28,511	8,032
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:	'	'
Acquisition , cash consideration	0	'
Payments to Acquire Assets, Investing Activities	'	0
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	0	0
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	'	0
Change in restricted cash and investments	-185	-124
Capital expenditures	-8,586	-1,414
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities - continuing operations	'	-1,538
Cash used in investing activities - discontinued operations	'	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-8,771	-1,538
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:	'	'
Proceeds from long-term debt	103,000	410,000
Payments on long-term debt	-108,750	-351,153
Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock in connection with ESPP	84	66
Debt issuance costs	'	-5,650
Income tax benefit related to equity compensation	558	1,127
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	3,275	3,049
Cash dividends paid	-41,139	-35,711
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-42,972	21,728
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	0	0
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-23,232	28,222
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	30,730	4,764
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	7,498	32,986
Combined Subsidiary Guarantors	'	'
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	25,116	26,708
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:	'	'
Acquisition , cash consideration	13,000	'
Payments to Acquire Assets, Investing Activities	'	0
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	165	4
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	'	1,602
Change in restricted cash and investments	-549	-1,145
Capital expenditures	-8,642	-9,624
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities - continuing operations	'	-9,163
Cash used in investing activities - discontinued operations	'	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-22,026	-9,163
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:	'	'
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	0
Payments on long-term debt	-240	-377
Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock in connection with ESPP	0	0
Debt issuance costs	'	0
Income tax benefit related to equity compensation	0	0
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	0	0
Cash dividends paid	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-240	-377
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	0	0
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	2,850	17,168
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	985	1,917
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	3,835	19,085
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	9,525	10,697
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:	'	'
Acquisition , cash consideration	0	'
Payments to Acquire Assets, Investing Activities	'	0
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	0	0
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	'	0
Change in restricted cash and investments	-2,539	3,599
Capital expenditures	-303	-364
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities - continuing operations	'	3,235
Cash used in investing activities - discontinued operations	'	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-2,842	3,235
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:	'	'
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	0
Payments on long-term debt	-1,403	-6,908
Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock in connection with ESPP	0	0
Debt issuance costs	'	0
Income tax benefit related to equity compensation	0	0
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	0	0
Cash dividends paid	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-1,403	-6,908
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	1,040	-445
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	6,320	6,579
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	20,410	25,074
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	$26,730	$31,653

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ5

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details Textual)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 19, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
		Senior Notes	Senior Notes
		Senior Notes Due 2023	Senior Notes Due 2022 [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Notes bear interest at a rate	'	5.13%	5.88%
Percentage of subsidiary owned	100.00%	'	'