Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net Income	$ 166,412	$ 144,827	$ 146,024
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	191	262	217
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	166,603	145,089	146,241
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	130,825	126,434	124,297
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	(588)	1,230	12,238
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	8,609	8,856	16,540
Stock-based compensation	22,344	22,049	19,844
Loss on extinguishment of debt	4,795	0	0
Provision for doubtful accounts	190	823	2,456
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(9,532)	(9,627)	(12,045)
Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment	5,576	4,236	1,520
Loss on assets held for sale	1,083	0	0
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint ventures	10,312	11,846	6,132
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	(8,391)	(66,101)	20,938
Changes in contract receivable	(4,355)	(2,049)	40,515
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	10,672	31,689	2,366
Net cash provided by operating activities	338,143	274,475	381,042
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of CEC, cash consideration, net of cash acquired	0	0	(353,556)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	414	2,077	3,460
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	19,310	1,438	2,754
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	823	3,797	0
Change in restricted cash and investments	(7,440)	(129)	(4,507)
Capital expenditures	(117,244)	(195,666)	(148,406)
Net cash used in investing activities	(104,137)	(188,483)	(500,255)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(513,219)	(282,358)	(1,140,788)
Proceeds from long term debt	521,370	502,998	1,389,084
Payments on non-recourse debt	(335,116)	(18,544)	(307,414)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	321,102	0	181,658
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(4,179)	(3,820)	(4,142)
Debt issuance costs	(9,856)	(990)	(9,542)
Payments for purchase of treasury shares	0	(95,175)	0
Proceeds from stock options exercised	1,258	1,887	6,962
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	532	534	497
Issuance of common stock in connection with public offering	0	0	275,867
Dividends paid	(232,546)	(229,498)	(227,463)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(250,654)	(124,966)	164,719
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(352)	(10,099)	(2,318)
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(17,000)	(49,073)	43,188
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	84,472	133,545	90,357
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	67,472	84,472	133,545
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes	11,160	8,035	13,809
Interest	135,579	133,566	115,354
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Right-of-use assets obtained from operating lease liabilities upon adoption of new lease standard - Refer to 14 - Leases	147,000
Right-of-use assets obtained from operating lease liabilities (subsequent to initial adoption)	12,223
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 11,049	$ 15,253	$ 13,039