Business Segments and Geographic Information - Schedule of Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 579,136	$ 631,579	$ 1,771,982	$ 1,856,212
Operating income from segments:
Operating income from segments	111,106	126,647	330,530	376,294
General and Administrative Expenses	(46,644)	(48,488)	(145,969)	(142,183)
Operating income	64,462	78,159	184,561	234,111
Operating Segments
Revenues:
Revenues	579,136	631,579	1,771,982	1,856,212
Operating income from segments:
Operating income from segments	111,106	126,647	330,530	376,294
Operating Segments | GEO Secure Services
Revenues:
Revenues	392,384	411,078	1,180,211	1,201,063
Operating income from segments:
Operating income from segments	78,076	85,085	226,000	248,462
Operating Segments | GEO Care
Revenues:
Revenues	134,940	153,422	417,643	462,772
Operating income from segments:
Operating income from segments	28,617	36,325	89,166	113,936
Operating Segments | International Services
Revenues:
Revenues	48,489	57,634	158,593	176,246
Operating income from segments:
Operating income from segments	4,400	5,211	15,316	13,870
Operating Segments | Facility Construction and Design
Revenues:
Revenues	3,323	9,445	15,535	16,131
Operating income from segments:
Operating income from segments	13	26	48	26
Segment Reconciling Items
Operating income from segments:
General and Administrative Expenses	$ (46,644)	$ (48,488)	$ (145,969)	$ (142,183)