Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 53,673	$ 41,931	$ 91,852	$ 92,416
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(9,826)	(14)	(9,401)	(641)
Change in marketable securities, net of tax provision (benefit) of $94, $0, $202 and $0	(353)		(758)
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax provision of $23, $42, $45 and $83, respectively	85	155	170	311
Change in fair value of derivative instrument classified as cash flow hedge, net of tax (benefit) provision of $508, $(310), $1,163 and $474, respectively	1,910	(1,165)	4,374	1,782
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(8,184)	(1,024)	(5,615)	1,452
Total comprehensive income	45,489	40,907	86,237	93,868
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	31	30	86	93
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 45,520	$ 40,937	$ 86,323	$ 93,961