Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 40,366	$ 32,326
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	37	24
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	40,403	32,350
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	28,949	28,451
Stock-based compensation	4,963	3,241
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	4,235	2,366
Provision for doubtful accounts	378	0
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(1,487)	(1,119)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	2,359	0
Income tax deficiency related to equity compensation	0	818
Loss (gain) on sale/disposal of property and equipment	110	(326)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	51,709	(22,563)
Changes in contract receivable	(69,098)	(46,956)
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(14,639)	(13,789)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	47,882	(17,527)
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	689	18
Change in restricted cash and investments	25	(41,037)
Capital expenditures	(34,421)	(28,429)
Net cash used in investing activities	(33,707)	(69,448)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,083,148	117,000
Payments on long-term debt	(918,500)	(88,756)
Payments on non-recourse debt	(67,171)	(1,613)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	36,020	71,242
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(3,434)	(1,717)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under prospectus supplement	276,036	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	122	2,357
Debt issuance costs	(7,371)	(1,505)
Income tax deficiency related to equity compensation	0	(818)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	3,882	979
Cash dividends paid	(52,504)	(48,509)
Net cash provided by financing activities	350,228	48,660
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	2,118	1,902
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	366,521	(36,413)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	68,038	59,638
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	434,559	23,225
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 1,312	$ 2,340