Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 146,024	$ 148,498	$ 139,315
Less: loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	217	217	123
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	146,241	148,715	139,438
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	124,297	114,916	106,756
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	12,238	(5,963)	(2,374)
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium	16,540	12,121	6,963
Stock-based compensation	19,844	12,773	11,709
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	15,885	0
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,456	2,682	764
Exit charges related to non-core operating leases	0	0	4,550
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(12,045)	(6,925)	(5,533)
Income tax deficiency (benefit) related to equity compensation	0	1,626	(1,409)
Loss (gain) on sale/disposal of property and equipment	1,520	394	(466)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	6,132	1,611	3,244
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	20,938	(50,946)	(29,311)
Changes in contract receivable	40,515	(280,562)	(114,086)
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	2,366	5,645	21,912
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	381,042	(28,028)	142,157
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of LCS, cash consideration	0	0	(307,404)
Acquisition of CEC, cash consideration, net of cash acquired	(353,556)	0	0
Acquisition of SoberLink, cash consideration	0	0	(24,402)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	3,460	2,030	42
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	2,754	4,733	1,270
Change in restricted cash and investments	(33,661)	(9,558)	(4,805)
Capital expenditures	(148,406)	(81,565)	(117,581)
Net cash used in investing activities	(529,409)	(84,360)	(452,880)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(1,140,788)	(934,006)	(311,985)
Proceeds from long term debt	1,389,084	1,012,945	724,798
Payments on non-recourse debt	(307,414)	(10,064)	(11,908)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	181,658	266,835	123,560
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(4,142)	(2,336)	(2,786)
Debt issuance costs	(9,542)	(21,115)	(7,069)
Proceeds from stock options exercised	6,962	3,347	2,774
Income tax (deficiency) benefit related to equity compensation	0	(1,626)	1,409
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	497	436	441
Issuance of common stock in connection with public offering	275,867	0	0
Dividends paid	(227,463)	(194,748)	(186,984)
Net cash provided by financing activities	164,719	119,668	332,250
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	(3,013)	1,120	(3,226)
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	13,339	8,400	18,301
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	68,038	59,638	41,337
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	81,377	68,038	59,638
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes	13,809	23,063	11,522
Interest	115,354	109,356	97,652
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 13,039	$ 894	$ 5,939