Shareholders' Equity - Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2024		Sep. 30, 2023
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance		$ 1,280,537	$ 1,232,371	$ 1,290,314		$ 1,165,088
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		118	4	$ 785		85
Proceeds from exercise of stock options (shares)				163
Stock-based compensation expense		3,534	3,116	$ 12,322		12,052
Issuance of common shares	[1]			(1,614)
Shares withheld for net settlements of share - based awards	[2]	(2)		(7,464)		(3,446)
Reissuance of treasury shares / Sale of treasury share	[3]					5,750
Issuance of common stock - ESPP		36	37	115		117
Net income		26,289	24,503	16,385		82,022
Other comprehensive income (loss)		4,026	(1,482)	3,695		(3,119)
Ending Balance		1,314,538	1,258,549	1,314,538		1,258,549
Common shares
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance		$ 1,396	$ 1,303	$ 1,303		$ 1,289
Beginning Balance (shares)		139,551	126,075	126,087		124,061
Proceeds from exercise of stock options				$ 2
Proceeds from exercise of stock options (shares)		16	1	163		13
Restricted stock granted		$ 1		$ 17		$ 17
Restricted stock granted (shares)		158		1,712		1,758
Restricted stock canceled				$ (1)
Restricted stock canceled (shares)		(21)	(10)	(61)		(36)
Issuance of common shares	[1]	$ 1		$ 82
Issuance of common shares (in shares)	[1]	16		8,220
Shares withheld for net settlements of share - based awards	[2]	$ (1)		$ (6)		$ (4)
Shares withheld for net settlements of share-based awards (shares)	[2]	(1)		(618)		(383)
Reissuance of treasury shares / Sale of treasury share (shares)				4,210	[1]	642	[3]
Issuance of common stock - ESPP						$ 1
Issuance of common stock - ESPP (in shares)		3	5	9		16
Ending Balance		$ 1,397	$ 1,303	$ 1,397		$ 1,303
Ending Balance (shares)		139,722	126,071	139,722		126,071
Additional Paid-In Capital
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance		$ 1,299,558	$ 1,292,826	$ 1,299,193		$ 1,291,363
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		118	4	783		85
Stock-based compensation expense		3,534	3,116	12,322		12,052
Restricted stock granted		(1)		(17)		(17)
Restricted stock canceled				1
Issuance of common shares	[1]	(1)		(1,696)
Shares withheld for net settlements of share - based awards	[2]	(1)		(7,458)		(3,442)
Reissuance of treasury shares / Sale of treasury share	[3]					(4,174)
Issuance of common stock - ESPP		36	37	115		116
Ending Balance		1,303,243	1,295,983	1,303,243		1,295,983
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance		(1,931)	53,338	103,089		(4,236)
Reissuance of treasury shares / Sale of treasury share	[1]			(95,175)
Net income		26,320	24,519	16,475		82,093
Ending Balance		24,389	77,857	24,389		77,857
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance		(16,970)	(18,582)	(16,642)		(16,919)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		4,054	(1,483)	3,726		(3,146)
Ending Balance		(12,916)	(20,065)	(12,916)		(20,065)
Treasury shares
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance			$ (95,175)	$ (95,175)		$ (105,099)
Beginning Balance (shares)			4,210	4,210		4,852
Reissuance of treasury shares / Sale of treasury share				$ 95,175	[1]	$ 9,924	[3]
Reissuance of treasury shares / Sale of treasury share (shares)				(4,210)	[1]	(642)	[3]
Ending Balance			$ (95,175)			$ (95,175)
Ending Balance (shares)			4,210			4,210
Noncontrolling Interests
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance		(1,516)	$ (1,339)	$ (1,454)		$ (1,310)
Net income		(31)	(16)	(90)		(71)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(28)	1	(31)		27
Ending Balance		$ (1,575)	$ (1,354)	$ (1,575)		$ (1,354)

[1] During the second and third quarters of 2024, the Company retired $229.7 million in aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 6.50% Exchangeable Senior Notes in private exchange transactions for an exchange value of approximately $410 million. The consideration consisted of cash of $229.7 million and 12,430,285 shares of GEO common stock. Of the total amount of shares issued, the Company issued 4,209,847 shares that were previously held in treasury. Refer to Note 10 - Debt for further information.

[2] The Company withheld shares through net settlements to satisfy statutory tax withholding requirements upon the vesting of shares of restricted stock held by employees.

[3] The Company sold treasury shares to partially fund its obligation under its Amended and Restated Executive Retirement Agreement with its Executive Chairman. Refer to Note 13 - Benefit Plans for further information.