Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 25,121	$ 40,649
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	60	56
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	25,181	40,705
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	33,327	32,469
Stock-based compensation	9,768	6,727
Gain on extinguishment of debt	(1,563)	0
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	1,670	2,563
Provision for doubtful accounts	25	131
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(2,260)	(2,596)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	633	3,088
Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment, net	304	697
Loss on assets held for sale	0	1,083
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	53,210	27,527
Changes in contract receivable	1,206	1,446
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	6,758	(14,829)
Net cash provided by operating activities	128,259	99,011
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	0	2,503
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	264	274
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	1,300	0
Change in restricted investments	3,363	(4,062)
Capital expenditures	(30,652)	(28,084)
Net cash used in investing activities	(25,725)	(29,369)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	96,000	130,000
Payments on long-term debt	(125,505)	(96,926)
Payments on non-recourse debt	(1,362)	(2,089)
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(2,632)	(4,172)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	150	124
Payment for repurchases of common stock	(9,009)	0
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	0	333
Cash dividends paid	(57,703)	(57,945)
Net cash used in financing activities	(100,061)	(30,675)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(7,364)	366
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(4,891)	39,333
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	67,472	84,472
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	62,581	123,805
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Right-of-use assets obtained from operating lease liabilities upon adoption of new lease standard	0	147,000
Conversion of pension liability to shares of common stock	8,925	0
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 3,304	$ 5,081