Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 32,326	$ 28,756
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	24	21
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	32,350	28,777
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	28,451	24,940
Stock-based compensation	3,241	2,621
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	2,366	1,695
Provision for doubtful accounts	0	323
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(1,119)	(1,485)
Income tax deficiency (benefit) related to equity compensation	818	(569)
Gain on sale/disposal of property and equipment	(326)	(545)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	(22,563)	12,972
Changes in contract receivable	(46,956)	(24,768)
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(13,789)	16,784
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(17,527)	60,745
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of LCS, cash consideration	0	(307,403)
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	0	700
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	18	20
Change in restricted cash and investments	(41,037)	(8,108)
Capital expenditures	(28,429)	(34,198)
Net cash used in investing activities	(69,448)	(348,989)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	117,000	371,000
Payments on long-term debt	(88,756)	(38,750)
Payments on non-recourse debt	(1,613)	(1,645)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	71,242	33,019
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(1,717)	(1,123)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	2,357	98
Debt issuance costs	(1,505)	(1,245)
Income tax deficiency (benefit) related to equity compensation	(818)	569
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	979	1,215
Cash dividends paid	(48,509)	(45,977)
Net cash provided by financing activities	48,660	317,161
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	1,902	(1,273)
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(36,413)	27,644
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	59,638	41,337
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	23,225	68,981
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 2,340	$ 1,346