Summary of Business Organization, Operations and Significant Accounting Policies - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 913,102
Current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	2,373	$ (2,254)
Ending balance	976,211	913,102
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(9,207)	(12,314)
Current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(3,254)	3,107
Ending balance	(12,461)	(9,207)
Unrealized loss on derivatives, net of tax
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(4,752)	(1,476)
Current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	2,228	(3,276)
Ending balance	(2,524)	(4,752)
Change Marketable Securities, net of tax
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	7
Ending balance	7
Pension adjustments, net of tax
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(8,630)	(6,545)
Current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	3,392	(2,085)
Ending balance	(5,238)	(8,630)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(22,589)	(20,335)
Ending balance	$ (20,216)	$ (22,589)