Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 22,659	$ 27,994
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	9	9
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	22,668	28,003
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	31,365	31,923
Stock-based compensation	5,656	5,578
Loss on extinguishment of debt	39	136
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	2,909	2,824
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(28)	(922)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint ventures	3,646	1,011
Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment, net	246	606
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	25,753	70,962
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(6,447)	(45,381)
Net cash provided by operating activities	85,807	94,740
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		175
Change in restricted investments	(2,523)	(1,570)
Capital expenditures	(14,768)	(13,767)
Net cash used in investing activities	(17,291)	(15,162)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(23,253)	(48,273)
Proceeds from sale of treasury shares		5,750
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(7,412)	(3,445)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	36	41
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	529	49
Net cash used in financing activities	(30,100)	(45,878)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(3,003)	(1,286)
Net Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	35,413	32,414
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	159,867	143,843
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	195,280	176,257
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Right-of-use assets obtained from operating lease liabilities upon adoption of new lease standard	491	1,583
Debt issuance costs in accrued expenses		3,850
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 326	$ 640