Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 128,370	$ 111,474
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	181	223
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	128,551	111,697
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	97,240	94,536
Stock-based compensation	16,919	16,351
Loss on extinguishment of debt	5,147	574
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	6,861	5,860
Provision for doubtful accounts	126	806
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(6,645)	(7,071)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	5,694	8,710
Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment, net	3,736	3,652
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	46,114	(13,955)
Changes in contract receivable	6,338	(3,986)
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	11,794	3,049
Net cash provided by operating activities	322,958	220,223
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	17,389	5,998
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	402	2,061
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	823	3,797
Change in restricted investments	(5,449)	(2,413)
Capital expenditures	(90,787)	(161,490)
Net cash used in investing activities	(77,622)	(152,047)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	274,370	372,000
Payments on long-term debt	(310,616)	(186,033)
Payments on non-recourse debt	(332,717)	(9,636)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	322,906	0
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(4,177)	(4,452)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	400	404
Payment for repurchases of common stock	0	(70,446)
Debt issuance costs	9,885	990
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	1,259	1,781
Cash dividends paid	(174,332)	(172,256)
Net cash used in financing activities	(232,792)	(69,628)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(2,063)	(5,392)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	10,481	(6,844)
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	94,953	126,701
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	$ 5,231	$ 4,152