Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 2,350,098	$ 2,477,922	$ 2,331,386
Operating Expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization)	1,778,326	1,860,758	1,755,772
Depreciation and Amortization	134,680	130,825	126,434
General and Administrative Expenses	193,372	185,926	184,515
Goodwill Impairment Charge	21,146
Operating Income	222,574	300,413	264,665
Interest Income	23,072	28,934	34,755
Interest Expense	(126,837)	(151,024)	(150,103)
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt	5,319	(4,795)
Income Before Income Taxes and Equity in Earnings of Affiliates	124,128	173,528	149,317
Provision for Income Taxes	20,463	16,648	14,117
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates, net of income tax (benefit) provision of $1,784, $1,769 and $888	9,166	9,532	9,627
Net Income	112,831	166,412	144,827
Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	201	191	262
Net Income Attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 113,032	$ 166,603	$ 145,089
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic	119,719	119,097	120,241
Diluted	119,991	119,311	120,747
Basic earnings per share
Net income per share — basic	$ 0.94	$ 1.40	$ 1.21
Diluted:
Net income per share — diluted	0.94	1.40	1.20
Dividends declared per share	$ 1.78	$ 1.92	$ 1.88