Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 24,503	$ 38,312	$ 82,022	$ 130,164
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(2,852)	(2,247)	(5,242)	(11,648)
Change in marketable securities, net of tax provision (benefit) of $0, $(129), $253 and $(331), respectively		(487)	953	(1,245)
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax provision of $0, $23, $0 and $68, respectively		86		256
Change in fair value of derivative instrument classified as cash flow hedge, net of tax provision (benefit) of $364, $498, $311 and $1,660, respectively	1,370	1,873	1,170	6,247
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(1,482)	(775)	(3,119)	(6,390)
Total comprehensive income	23,021	37,537	78,903	123,774
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	15	2	44	88
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 23,036	$ 37,539	$ 78,947	$ 123,862