XML 34 R43.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $ 68,981us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue $ 41,337us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue $ 38,063us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue $ 52,125us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
5.125% Senior Notes, Due 2023        
Liabilities:        
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure   0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointOneTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2023Member
   
Carrying Value        
Assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents 68,981us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
41,337us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Restricted cash 19,089us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
12,638us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Liabilities:        
Borrowings under senior credit facility 697,750geo_BorrowingsUnderRevolverAndTermLoans
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
365,500geo_BorrowingsUnderRevolverAndTermLoans
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Carrying Value | 5.875% Senior Notes, Due 2024        
Liabilities:        
Senior Notes 250,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2024Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
250,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2024Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Carrying Value | 5.125% Senior Notes, Due 2023        
Liabilities:        
Senior Notes 300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointOneTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2023Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointOneTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2023Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Carrying Value | 5.875% Senior Notes, Due 2022        
Liabilities:        
Senior Notes 250,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2022Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2022Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Carrying Value | 6.625% Senior Notes, Due 2021        
Liabilities:        
Senior Notes 300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_SixPointSixTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2021Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
250,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_SixPointSixTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2021Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Carrying Value | Other non recourse debt including current portion        
Liabilities:        
Non-recourse debt 14,025us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_OthernonrecoursedebtincludingcurrentportionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
48,836us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_OthernonrecoursedebtincludingcurrentportionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement        
Assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents 68,981us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
41,337us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Restricted cash 19,089us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
12,638us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Liabilities:        
Borrowings under senior credit facility 698,855geo_BorrowingsUnderRevolverAndTermLoans
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
364,411geo_BorrowingsUnderRevolverAndTermLoans
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 5.875% Senior Notes, Due 2024        
Liabilities:        
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure 260,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2024Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
256,720us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2024Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 5.125% Senior Notes, Due 2023        
Liabilities:        
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure 315,375us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointOneTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2023Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
315,750us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointOneTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2023Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 5.875% Senior Notes, Due 2022        
Liabilities:        
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure 255,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2022Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
296,814us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2022Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 6.625% Senior Notes, Due 2021        
Liabilities:        
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure 318,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_SixPointSixTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2021Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
256,720us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_SixPointSixTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2021Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Other non recourse debt including current portion        
Liabilities:        
Non-recourse debt 14,111us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_OthernonrecoursedebtincludingcurrentportionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
52,016us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_OthernonrecoursedebtincludingcurrentportionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Level 1 | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement        
Assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents 68,981us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
41,337us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Restricted cash 4,247us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
3,889us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Liabilities:        
Borrowings under senior credit facility 0geo_BorrowingsUnderRevolverAndTermLoans
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
0geo_BorrowingsUnderRevolverAndTermLoans
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Level 1 | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 5.875% Senior Notes, Due 2024        
Liabilities:        
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure 0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2024Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2024Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Level 1 | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 5.875% Senior Notes, Due 2022        
Liabilities:        
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure 0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2022Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2022Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Level 1 | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 6.625% Senior Notes, Due 2021        
Liabilities:        
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure 0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_SixPointSixTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2021Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_SixPointSixTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2021Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Level 1 | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Other non recourse debt including current portion        
Liabilities:        
Non-recourse debt 0us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_OthernonrecoursedebtincludingcurrentportionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
0us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_OthernonrecoursedebtincludingcurrentportionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Level 3 | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement        
Assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents 0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Restricted cash 0us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
0us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Liabilities:        
Borrowings under senior credit facility 0geo_BorrowingsUnderRevolverAndTermLoans
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
0geo_BorrowingsUnderRevolverAndTermLoans
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Level 3 | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 5.875% Senior Notes, Due 2024        
Liabilities:        
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure 0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2024Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
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= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2024Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Level 3 | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 5.875% Senior Notes, Due 2022        
Liabilities:        
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure 0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2022Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2022Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Level 3 | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 6.625% Senior Notes, Due 2021        
Liabilities:        
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure 0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_SixPointSixTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2021Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_SixPointSixTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2021Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Level 3 | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Other non recourse debt including current portion        
Liabilities:        
Non-recourse debt 0us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_OthernonrecoursedebtincludingcurrentportionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
0us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
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= geo_OthernonrecoursedebtincludingcurrentportionMember
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Level 2 | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement        
Assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents 0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Restricted cash 14,842us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
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8,749us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Liabilities:        
Borrowings under senior credit facility 698,855geo_BorrowingsUnderRevolverAndTermLoans
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
364,411geo_BorrowingsUnderRevolverAndTermLoans
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Level 2 | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 5.875% Senior Notes, Due 2024        
Liabilities:        
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure 260,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2024Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
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256,720us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
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/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Level 2 | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 5.125% Senior Notes, Due 2023        
Liabilities:        
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure 315,375us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointOneTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2023Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
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/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
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315,750us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Level 2 | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 5.875% Senior Notes, Due 2022        
Liabilities:        
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure 255,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2022Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
296,814us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
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= geo_FivePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2022Member
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Level 2 | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 6.625% Senior Notes, Due 2021        
Liabilities:        
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure 318,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_SixPointSixTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2021Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
256,720us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
   
Level 2 | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Other non recourse debt including current portion        
Liabilities:        
Non-recourse debt 14,111us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= geo_OthernonrecoursedebtincludingcurrentportionMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
52,016us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
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= geo_OthernonrecoursedebtincludingcurrentportionMember
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AUSTRALIA | Subsidiary | Carrying Value        
Liabilities:        
Non-recourse debt 156,442us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
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95,714us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
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AUSTRALIA | Subsidiary | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement        
Liabilities:        
Non-recourse debt 159,484us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
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AUSTRALIA | Level 1 | Subsidiary | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement        
Liabilities:        
Non-recourse debt 0us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
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0us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
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AUSTRALIA | Level 3 | Subsidiary | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement        
Liabilities:        
Non-recourse debt 0us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
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0us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
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AUSTRALIA | Level 2 | Subsidiary | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement        
Liabilities:        
Non-recourse debt $ 159,484us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
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$ 95,871us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
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