Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 34,641	$ 39,172	$ 127,057	$ 100,947
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(3,181)	2,002	(3,822)	(2,802)
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax provision of $41, $28, $124 and $85, respectively	156	107	467	320
Change in fair value of derivative instrument classified as cash flow hedge, net of tax (benefit) provision of $82, $114, $556 and $(1,143), respectively	311	376	2,093	(4,299)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(2,714)	2,485	(1,262)	(6,781)
Total comprehensive income	31,927	41,657	125,795	94,166
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	61	44	154	217
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 31,988	$ 41,701	$ 125,949	$ 94,383