Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 72,245	$ 71,308
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	163	87
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	72,408	71,395
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	63,239	60,815
Stock-based compensation	10,787	9,993
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	3,992	7,676
Provision for doubtful accounts	525	1,227
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(4,336)	(2,913)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	3,957	2,359
(Gain) loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment, net	(1,001)	1,909
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	19,838	44,336
Changes in contract receivable	(4,919)	(122,006)
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	15,763	(24,077)
Net cash provided by operating activities	180,253	50,714
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired	0	(354,466)
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	4,036	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	1,717	648
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	3,797	0
Change in restricted investments	(1,490)	(2,963)
Capital expenditures	(107,064)	(67,508)
Net cash used in investing activities	(99,004)	(424,289)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	245,000	1,158,574
Payments on long-term debt	(134,000)	(972,500)
Payments on non-recourse debt	(7,490)	(67,885)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	0	91,076
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(4,391)	(4,092)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with public offering	0	275,867
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	264	242
Payment for repurchases of common stock	(70,446)	0
Debt issuance costs	(990)	(7,587)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	1,372	6,150
Cash dividends paid	(115,017)	(110,859)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(85,698)	368,986
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(1,881)	1,907
Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(6,330)	(2,682)
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	127,215	87,675
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 5,408	$ 8,540