Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statement of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
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
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	0	333
Payment for repurchases of common stock	(9,009)	0
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
The GEO Group Inc.
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	105,094	14,354
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(11,583)	(6,608)
Net cash used in investing activities	(11,583)	(6,608)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	96,000	130,000
Payments on long-term debt	(121,485)	(96,926)
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
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options		333
Payment for repurchases of common stock	(9,009)
Cash dividends paid	(57,703)	(57,945)
Net cash used in financing activities	(94,679)	(28,586)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(1,168)	(20,840)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	9,840	54,666
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	8,672	33,826
Combined Subsidiary Guarantors
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	14,512	20,879
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Insurance proceeds - damaged property		2,503
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	264	274
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	1,300
Change in restricted investments	3,363	(4,062)
Capital expenditures	(18,647)	(21,452)
Net cash used in investing activities	(13,720)	(22,737)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	792	(1,858)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period		4,823
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	792	2,965
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	8,653	63,778
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(422)	(24)
Net cash used in investing activities	(422)	(24)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(4,020)
Payments on non-recourse debt	(1,362)	(2,089)
Net cash used in financing activities	(5,382)	(2,089)
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	(4,515)	62,031
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	57,632	24,983
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	$ 53,117	$ 87,014