Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net Income	$ 112,831	$ 166,412	$ 144,827
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	201	191	262
Net Income Attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	113,032	166,603	145,089
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	134,680	130,825	126,434
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	11,221	(588)	1,230
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	6,892	8,609	8,856
Goodwill impairment charge	21,146
Stock-based compensation	23,896	22,344	22,049
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt	(5,319)	4,795
Provision for doubtful accounts	263	190	823
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(9,166)	(9,532)	(9,627)
Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment	7,777	5,576	4,236
Loss on assets held for sale	774	1,083
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint ventures	5,934	10,312	11,846
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	68,181	(8,391)	(66,101)
Changes in contract receivable	5,156	(4,355)	(2,049)
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	57,266	10,672	31,689
Net cash provided by operating activities	441,733	338,143	274,475
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	140	414	2,077
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	9,497	19,310	1,438
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	2,406	823	3,797
Change in restricted investments	(7,417)	(7,440)	(129)
Capital expenditures	(108,800)	(117,244)	(195,666)
Net cash used in investing activities	(104,174)	(104,137)	(188,483)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(816,191)	(513,219)	(282,358)
Proceeds from long term debt	960,579	521,370	502,998
Payments on non-recourse debt	(13,805)	(335,116)	(18,544)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt		321,102
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(2,789)	(4,179)	(3,820)
Debt issuance costs		(9,856)	(990)
Payments for purchase of treasury shares	(9,009)		(95,175)
Proceeds from stock options exercised		1,258	1,887
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	616	532	534
Dividends paid	(216,145)	(232,546)	(229,498)
Net cash used in financing activities	(96,744)	(250,654)	(124,966)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	3,566	(352)	(10,099)
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	244,381	(17,000)	(49,073)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	67,472	84,472	133,545
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	311,853	67,472	84,472
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes	5,358	11,160	8,035
Interest	113,304	135,579	133,566
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Right-of-use assets obtained from operating lease liabilities upon adoption of new lease standard - Refer to 13 - Leases		147,000
Assets obtained from finance lease liabilities	2,260
Conversion of pension liability to shares of common stock	8,925
Right-of-use assets obtained from operating lease liabilities (subsequent to initial adoption)	23,940	12,223
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 1,445	$ 11,049	$ 15,253