Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 109,761	$ 99,156
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	123	123
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	109,884	99,279
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	92,464	85,886
Stock-based compensation	14,852	9,675
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	15,885
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	11,922	8,330
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,597	1,783
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(4,255)	(4,943)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	5,052	1,611
Income tax deficiency related to equity compensation	0	844
Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment, net	2,194	764
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	5,527	(33,953)
Changes in contract receivable	(163,083)	(205,135)
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(18,326)	8,216
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	57,828	(11,758)
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired	(353,555)	0
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	86	4,733
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	856	68
Change in restricted cash and investments	(4,820)	(97,716)
Capital expenditures	(104,130)	(68,015)
Net cash used in investing activities	(461,563)	(160,930)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,324,865	813,077
Payments on long-term debt	(1,093,088)	(775,256)
Payments on non-recourse debt	(68,887)	(1,878)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	123,785	273,087
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(4,122)	(2,336)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under prospectus supplement	275,867	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	382	338
Debt issuance costs	(9,470)	(20,490)
Income tax deficiency related to equity compensation	0	(844)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	6,786	2,367
Cash dividends paid	(169,152)	(145,991)
Net cash provided by financing activities	386,966	142,074
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	257	1,099
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(16,512)	(29,515)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	68,038	59,638
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	51,526	30,123
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 7,526	$ 2,410