Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 38,312	$ 34,641	$ 130,164	$ 127,057
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	25	69	119	157
Less: Undistributed income allocable to participating securities	(6,543)	(5,949)	(22,259)	(13,624)
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. available to common stockholders	$ 31,794	$ 28,761	$ 108,024	$ 113,590
Basic earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. available to common stockholders:
Weighted average shares outstanding	121,154	120,525	120,998	120,326
Per share amount	$ 0.26	$ 0.24	$ 0.89	$ 0.94
Diluted earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. available to common stockholders:
Weighted average shares outstanding	121,154	120,525	120,998	120,326
Dilutive effect of equity incentive plans	1,272	347	909	257
Weighted average shares assuming dilution	122,426	120,872	121,907	120,583
Per share amount	$ 0.26	$ 0.24	$ 0.89	$ 0.94