Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 2,256,612	$ 2,350,098	$ 2,477,922
Operating Expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization)	1,629,046	1,771,495	1,858,065
Depreciation and Amortization	135,177	134,680	130,825
General and Administrative Expenses	204,306	193,372	185,926
Goodwill Impairment Charge		21,146
Operating Income	288,083	229,405	303,106
Interest Income	24,007	23,072	28,934
Interest Expense	(129,460)	(126,837)	(151,024)
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt	4,693	5,319	(4,795)
Net gain (loss) on dispositions of assets	5,499	(6,831)	(2,693)
Income Before Income Taxes and Equity in Earnings of Affiliates	192,822	124,128	173,528
Provision for Income Taxes	122,730	20,463	16,648
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates, net of income tax provision of $1,035, $1,784 and $1,769	7,141	9,166	9,532
Net Income	77,233	112,831	166,412
Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	185	201	191
Net Income Attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 77,418	$ 113,032	$ 166,603
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic	120,384	119,719	119,097
Diluted	120,732	119,991	119,311
Basic:
Net income per share — basic	$ 0.59	$ 0.94	$ 1.40
Diluted:
Net income per share — diluted	0.58	0.94	1.40
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.25	$ 1.78	$ 1.92