Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 99,156	$ 95,295
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	123	79
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	99,279	95,374
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	85,886	78,628
Stock-based compensation	9,675	8,602
Loss on extinguishment of debt	15,885	0
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	8,330	4,986
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	1,611	0
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,783	323
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(4,943)	(3,949)
Income tax deficiency (benefit) related to equity compensation	844	(1,252)
Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment	764	(935)
Deferred tax benefit	0	0
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	(33,953)	(3,068)
Changes in contract receivable	(205,135)	(74,483)
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	8,216	6,938
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(11,758)	111,164
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of LCS, cash consideration	0	(307,403)
Acquisition of SoberLink, cash consideration	0	(24,402)
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	4,733	1,270
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	68	49
Change in restricted cash and investments	(97,716)	(11,136)
Capital expenditures	(68,015)	(100,844)
Net cash used in investing activities	(160,930)	(442,466)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	813,077	642,000
Payments on long-term debt	(775,256)	(222,675)
Payments on non-recourse debt	(1,878)	(6,366)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	273,087	70,117
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(2,336)	(2,748)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	338	321
Debt issuance costs	(20,490)	(5,217)
Income tax (deficiency) benefit related to equity compensation	(844)	1,252
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	2,367	2,513
Cash dividends paid	(145,991)	(138,454)
Net cash provided by financing activities	142,074	340,743
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	1,099	(3,647)
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(29,515)	5,794
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	59,638	41,337
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	30,123	47,131
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 2,410	$ 7,266