Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 38,179	$ 50,483
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	40	61
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	38,219	50,544
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	35,938	34,117
Stock-based compensation	6,313	7,402
Gain on extinguishment of debt		(3,038)
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	1,848	1,683
Provision for doubtful accounts		614
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(1,235)	(2,064)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint ventures	1,781	1,399
Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment, net	38	1,664
(Gain) loss on disposition of real estate	627	(13,329)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	22,448	26,846
Changes in contract receivable	1,644	1,611
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	14,335	17,468
Net cash provided by operating activities	121,956	124,917
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Insurance proceeds - damaged property		469
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	41	39
Proceeds from sales of real estate		15,673
Change in restricted investments	(4,109)	(2,191)
Capital expenditures	(13,773)	(27,276)
Net cash used in investing activities	(17,841)	(13,286)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt		240,000
Payments on long-term debt	(2,881)	(298,522)
Payments on non-recourse debt	(2,328)	(1,755)
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(1,285)	(1,901)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	43	116
Debt issuance costs		(9,587)
Cash dividends paid		(30,486)
Net cash used in financing activities	(6,451)	(102,135)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	2,606	(657)
Net Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	100,270	8,839
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	548,322	311,853
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	648,592	320,692
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Right-of-use assets obtained from operating lease liabilities	200	3,764
Equipment obtained from finance lease liabilities		794
Dividends paid in treasury shares		153
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 1,260	$ 4,408