Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (32,563)	$ 29,525	$ (9,904)	$ 57,519
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	50	46	59	55
Less: Undistributed income allocable to participating securities		(5,016)		(9,787)
Net income (loss) attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. available to common stockholders	$ (32,513)	$ 24,555	$ (9,845)	$ 47,787
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. available to common stockholders:
Weighted average shares outstanding	130,518	122,045	125,631	121,740
Per share amount	$ (0.25)	$ 0.2	$ (0.08)	$ 0.39
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. available to common stockholders:
Weighted average shares outstanding	130,518	122,045	125,631	121,740
Dilutive effect of equity incentive plans		1,233		1,756
Weighted average shares assuming dilution	130,518	123,278	125,631	123,496
Per share amount	$ (0.25)	$ 0.2	$ (0.08)	$ 0.39