Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Nov. 05, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-14260
Entity Registrant Name	The GEO Group, Inc
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	FL
Entity Tax Identification Number	65-0043078
Entity Address, Address Line One	4955 Technology Way
Entity Address, City or Town	Boca Raton,
Entity Address, State or Province	FL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	33431
City Area Code	561
Local Phone Number	893-0101
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
Trading Symbol	GEO
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		121,275,480
Entity Central Index Key	0000923796
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31