Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 34,920	$ 40,366
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	67	37
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	34,987	40,403
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	31,386	28,949
Stock-based compensation	5,827	4,963
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	2,138	3,806
Provision for doubtful accounts	195	378
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(1,995)	(1,487)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	736	2,359
(Gain) loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment, net	(350)	110
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	2,940	51,709
Changes in contract receivable	6,298	(69,098)
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(17,061)	(14,210)
Net cash provided by operating activities	65,101	47,882
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	4,504	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0	689
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	3,797	0
Change in restricted investments	(505)	(2,058)
Capital expenditures	(52,147)	(34,421)
Net cash used in investing activities	(44,351)	(35,790)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	102,000	1,083,148
Payments on long-term debt	(43,000)	(918,500)
Payments on non-recourse debt	(5,600)	(67,171)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	0	36,020
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(4,356)	(3,434)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with public offering	0	276,036
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	140	122
Payment for purchase of treasury shares	(40,182)	0
Debt issuance costs	0	(7,371)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	260	3,882
Cash dividends paid	(58,238)	(52,504)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(48,976)	350,228
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	3,930	2,679
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(24,296)	364,999
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	133,545	90,357
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	109,249	455,356
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 1,814	$ 1,312