Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 148,498	$ 139,315	$ 143,840
Less: loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	217	123	90
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	148,715	139,438	143,930
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	114,916	106,756	96,171
Deferred tax benefit	(5,963)	(2,374)	(10,355)
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium	12,121	6,963	5,332
Stock-based compensation	12,773	11,709	8,909
Loss on extinguishment of debt	15,885	0	0
Loss on derivative instrument	0		1,121
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,682	764	985
Exit charges related to non-core operating leases	0	4,550	0
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(6,925)	(5,533)	(5,823)
Tax deficiency (benefit) related to equity compensation	1,626	(1,409)	(2,035)
Loss (gain) on sale/disposal of property and equipment	394	(466)	490
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	1,611	3,244	4,274
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	(50,946)	(29,311)	23,809
Changes in contract receivable	(280,562)	(114,086)	(73,289)
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	5,645	21,912	9,022
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(28,028)	142,157	202,541
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of LCS, cash consideration	0	(307,404)	0
Acquisition of Protocol, cash consideration, net of cash acquired	0	0	(13,025)
Acquisition of SoberLink, cash consideration	0	(24,402)	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	2,030	42	699
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	4,733	1,270	0
Change in restricted cash and investments	(9,558)	(4,805)	5,380
Capital expenditures	(81,565)	(117,581)	(114,224)
Net cash used in investing activities	(84,360)	(452,880)	(121,170)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(934,006)	(311,985)	(678,099)
Proceeds from long term debt	1,012,945	724,798	654,000
Payments on non-recourse debt	(10,064)	(11,908)	(18,627)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	266,835	123,560	87,896
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(2,336)	(2,786)	(1,844)
Debt issuance costs - deferred	(21,115)	(7,069)	(26,420)
Proceeds from stock options exercised	3,347	2,774	7,281
Tax (deficiency) benefit related to equity compensation	(1,626)	1,409	2,035
Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock in connection with ESPP	436	441	387
Issuance of common stock under prospectus supplement	0	0	54,725
Dividends paid	(194,748)	(186,984)	(170,234)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	119,668	332,250	(88,900)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	1,120	(3,226)	(3,259)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	8,400	18,301	(10,788)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	59,638	41,337	52,125
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	68,038	59,638	41,337
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes	23,063	11,522	7,976
Interest	109,356	97,652	71,669
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 894	$ 5,939	$ 11,798