Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 40,649	$ 34,920
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	56	67
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	40,705	34,987
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	32,469	31,926
Stock-based compensation	6,727	5,827
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	2,563	2,138
Provision for doubtful accounts	131	195
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(2,596)	(1,995)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	3,088	736
Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment, net	697	(350)
Loss on assets held for sale	1,083	0
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	27,527	7,525
Changes in contract receivable	1,446	6,298
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(14,829)	(17,601)
Net cash provided by operating activities	99,011	69,686
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	2,503	4,504
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	274	0
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	0	3,797
Change in restricted investments	(4,062)	(505)
Capital expenditures	(28,084)	(52,147)
Net cash used in investing activities	(29,369)	(44,351)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	130,000	102,000
Payments on long-term debt	(96,926)	(43,000)
Payments on non-recourse debt	(2,089)	(5,600)
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(4,172)	(4,356)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	124	140
Payment for repurchases of common stock	0	(40,182)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	333	260
Cash dividends paid	(57,945)	(58,238)
Net cash used in financing activities	(30,675)	(48,976)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	366	(655)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	39,333	(24,296)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	84,472	133,545
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	123,805	109,249
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Right-of-use assets obtained from operating lease liabilities upon adoption of new lease standard (Refer to Note 2 - Leases)	147,000	0
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 5,081	$ 1,814