Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 27,994	$ 38,179
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	9	40
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	28,003	38,219
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	31,923	35,938
Stock-based compensation	5,578	6,313
Loss on extinguishment of debt	136
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	2,824	1,848
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(922)	(1,235)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint ventures	1,011	1,781
Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment, net	606	38
Loss on asset divestitures, net		627
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	70,962	22,448
Changes in contract receivable		1,644
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(45,381)	14,335
Net cash provided by operating activities	94,740	121,956
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	175	41
Change in restricted investments	(1,570)	(4,109)
Capital expenditures	(13,767)	(13,773)
Net cash used in investing activities	(15,162)	(17,841)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(48,273)	(2,881)
Payments on non-recourse debt		(2,328)
Proceeds from sale of treasury shares	5,750
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(3,445)	(1,285)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	41	43
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	49
Net cash used in financing activities	(45,878)	(6,451)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(1,286)	2,606
Net Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	32,414	100,270
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	143,843	548,322
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	176,257	648,592
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Right-of-use assets obtained from operating lease liabilities	1,583	200
Debt issuance costs in accrued expenses	3,850
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 640	$ 1,260