Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 139,315	$ 143,840	$ 115,197
Less: loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	123	90	(62)
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	139,438	143,930	115,135
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	106,756	96,171	94,664
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	(2,374)	(10,355)	(5,948)
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium	6,963	5,332	5,916
Stock-based compensation	11,709	8,909	7,889
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	20,657
Provision for doubtful accounts	764	985	1,136
Exit charges related to non-core operating leases	4,550	0	0
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(5,533)	(5,823)	(6,265)
Income tax benefit of equity compensation	(1,409)	(2,035)	(2,197)
Release of reserve for uncertain tax positions	0	0	(5,701)
Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment and assets held for sale	(466)	490	959
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	3,244	4,274	3,153
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	(29,311)	23,809	(27,239)
Changes in contract receivable	(114,086)	(73,289)	0
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	21,912	9,022	(9,970)
Net cash provided by operating activities	142,157	202,541	192,189
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of LCS, net of cash acquired	(307,404)	0	0
Acquisition of Protocol, cash consideration, net of cash acquired	0	(13,025)	0
Acquisition of SoberLink, cash consideration	(24,402)	0	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	42	699	205
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	1,270	0	0
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	0	0	1,969
Net working capital adjustment from RTS divestiture	0	0	(996)
Change in restricted cash and investments	(4,805)	5,380	17,412
Capital expenditures	(117,581)	(114,224)	(117,566)
Net cash used in investing activities	(452,880)	(121,170)	(98,976)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(311,985)	(678,099)	(1,134,544)
Proceeds from long term debt	724,798	654,000	1,238,000
Payments on non-recourse debt	(11,908)	(18,627)	0
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	123,560	87,896	0
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(2,786)	(1,844)	0
Termination of interest rate swap agreements	0	0	3,974
Termination of interest rate swap agreements	0	1,121	0
Debt issuance costs - deferred	(7,069)	(26,420)	(23,834)
Debt issuance fees	0	0	(13,421)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	2,774	7,281	5,425
Tax benefit related to equity compensation	1,409	2,035	2,197
Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock in connection with ESPP	441	387	319
Issuance of common stock under prospectus supplement	0	54,725	0
Cash dividends paid	(186,984)	(170,234)	(147,156)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	332,250	(88,900)	(69,040)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	(3,226)	(3,259)	(3,803)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	18,301	(10,788)	20,370
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	41,337	52,125	31,755
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	59,638	41,337	52,125
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes	11,522	7,976	16,697
Interest	97,652	71,669	69,304
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 5,939	$ 11,798	$ 2,148