Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 71,308	$ 55,482
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	87	77
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	71,395	55,559
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	60,815	57,103
Stock-based compensation	9,993	6,489
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	15,866
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	7,676	5,027
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,227	1,170
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(2,913)	(3,250)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	2,359	0
Income tax deficiency related to equity compensation	0	791
Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment, net	1,909	172
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	44,336	14,047
Changes in contract receivable	(122,006)	(124,273)
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(24,077)	9,551
Net cash provided by operating activities	50,714	38,252
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired	(354,466)	0
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	0	548
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	648	43
Change in restricted cash and investments	(1,835)	(65,853)
Capital expenditures	(67,508)	(46,014)
Net cash used in investing activities	(423,161)	(111,276)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,158,574	641,000
Payments on long-term debt	(972,500)	(627,506)
Payments on non-recourse debt	(67,885)	(3,044)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	91,076	159,068
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(4,092)	(2,257)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under prospectus supplement	275,867	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	242	224
Debt issuance costs	(7,587)	(19,497)
Income tax deficiency related to equity compensation	0	(791)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	6,150	2,057
Cash dividends paid	(110,859)	(97,247)
Net cash provided by financing activities	368,986	52,007
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	1,324	244
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(2,137)	(20,773)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	68,038	59,638
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	65,901	38,865
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 8,450	$ 2,204