Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 38,312	$ 34,641	$ 130,164	$ 127,057
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(2,247)	(3,181)	(11,648)	(3,822)
Change in marketable securities, net of tax provision (benefit) of $129, $0, $331 and $0	(487)		(1,245)
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax provision of $23, $41, $68 and $124, respectively	86	156	256	467
Change in fair value of derivative instrument classified as cash flow hedge, net of tax provision of $498, $82, $1,660 and $556, respectively	1,873	311	6,247	2,093
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(775)	(2,714)	(6,390)	(1,262)
Total comprehensive income	37,537	31,927	123,774	125,795
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	2	61	88	154
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 37,539	$ 31,988	$ 123,862	$ 125,949