Contracts Receivable (Details) $ in Thousands, AUD in Millions		3 Months Ended
	Sep. 16, 2014 Bed inmate	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) Rate	Dec. 31, 2015 AUD	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Contract receivable		$ 174,141		$ 66,229
Ravenhall
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Contract receivable		$ 174,141
Loan issued, interest rate | Rate		8.97%
Ravenhall | The GEO Group Australia
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Facility, number of beds | Bed	1,000
Number of inmates, capacity | inmate	1,300
Facility operation contract term	25 years
National Australia Bank Limited | Non Recourse Debt | Ravenhall
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Capital contribution		$ 84,000	AUD 115.0
Lump sum due at completion		$ 226,300	AUD 310.0