Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues									$ 2,477,922	$ 2,331,386	$ 2,263,420
Operating Expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization)									1,860,758	1,755,772	1,700,495
Depreciation and Amortization									130,825	126,434	124,297
General and administrative expenses									185,926	184,515	190,343
Operating Income	$ 66,302	$ 78,159	$ 81,175	$ 74,777	$ 63,484	$ 69,780	$ 66,951	$ 64,450	300,413	264,665	248,285
Interest Income									28,934	34,755	51,676
Interest Expense									(151,024)	(150,103)	(148,024)
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt									(4,795)	0	0
Income Before Income Taxes and Equity in Earnings of Affiliates									173,528	149,317	151,937
Provision for Income Taxes									16,648	14,117	17,958
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates, net of income tax (benefit) provision of $1,769, $888 and $(3,699)									9,532	9,627	12,045
Net Income	38,042	45,885	41,836	40,649	33,353	39,229	37,325	34,920	166,412	144,827	146,024
Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests									191	262	217
Net Income Attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 38,052	$ 45,932	$ 41,914	$ 40,705	$ 33,392	$ 39,289	$ 37,421	$ 34,987	$ 166,603	$ 145,089	$ 146,241
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic (in shares)									119,097	120,241	120,095
Diluted (in shares)									119,311	120,747	120,814
Basic earnings per share
Net income per share — basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.32	$ 0.39	$ 0.35	$ 0.34	$ 0.28	$ 0.33	$ 0.31	$ 0.29	$ 1.40	$ 1.21	$ 1.22
Diluted:
Net income per share — diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.32	$ 0.39	$ 0.35	$ 0.34	$ 0.28	$ 0.33	$ 0.31	$ 0.29	1.40	1.20	1.21
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)									$ 1.92	$ 1.88	$ 1.88