Earnings Per Share (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jul. 03, 2011

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Basic and diluted earnings per share

	Thirteen Weeks Ended					Twenty-six Weeks Ended
	July 3, 2011		July 4, 2010			July 3, 2011		July 4, 2010
Net income	$	21,163	$	17,025		$	37,543	$	34,733
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		415		(8	)		825		(44	)
Income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$	21,578	$	17,017		$	38,368	$	34,689
Basic earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.:
Weighted average shares outstanding		64,455		48,776			64,373		49,743
Per share amount	$	0.33	$	0.35		$	0.60	$	0.70
Diluted earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.:
Weighted average shares outstanding		64,455		48,776			64,373		49,743
Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and restricted stock		403		538			414		737
Weighted average shares assuming dilution		64,858		49,314			64,787		50,480
Per share amount	$	0.33	$	0.35		$	0.59	$	0.69