Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 144,827	$ 146,024	$ 148,498
Less: loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	262	217	217
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	145,089	146,241	148,715
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	126,434	124,297	114,916
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	1,230	12,238	(5,963)
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	8,856	16,540	12,121
Stock-based compensation	22,049	19,844	12,773
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	15,885
Provision for doubtful accounts	823	2,456	2,682
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(9,627)	(12,045)	(6,925)
Income tax deficiency (benefit) related to equity compensation	0	0	1,626
Loss (gain) on sale/disposal of property and equipment	4,236	1,520	394
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	11,846	6,132	1,611
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	(66,101)	20,938	(50,946)
Changes in contract receivable	(2,049)	40,515	(280,562)
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	31,689	2,366	5,645
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	274,475	381,042	(28,028)
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of CEC, cash consideration, net of cash acquired	0	(353,556)	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	2,077	3,460	2,030
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	1,438	2,754	4,733
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	3,797	0	0
Change in restricted cash and investments	(129)	(4,507)	(2,892)
Capital expenditures	(195,666)	(148,406)	(81,565)
Net cash used in investing activities	(188,483)	(500,255)	(77,694)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(282,358)	(1,140,788)	(934,006)
Proceeds from long term debt	502,998	1,389,084	1,012,945
Payments on non-recourse debt	(18,544)	(307,414)	(10,064)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	0	181,658	266,835
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(3,820)	(4,142)	(2,336)
Debt issuance costs	(990)	(9,542)	(21,115)
Payments for purchase of treasury shares	(95,175)	0	0
Proceeds from stock options exercised	1,887	6,962	3,347
Income tax (deficiency) benefit related to equity compensation	0	0	(1,626)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	534	497	436
Issuance of common stock in connection with public offering	0	275,867	0
Dividends paid	(229,498)	(227,463)	(194,748)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(124,966)	164,719	119,668
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(10,099)	(2,318)	1,119
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(49,073)	43,188	15,065
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	133,545	90,357	75,292
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	84,472	133,545	90,357
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes	8,035	13,809	23,063
Interest	133,566	115,354	109,356
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 15,253	$ 13,039	$ 894