Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 91,852	$ 92,416
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	94	88
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	91,946	92,504
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	67,954	67,423
Stock-based compensation	9,869	11,426
Gain on extinguishment of debt		(4,693)
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	3,755	3,586
Provision for doubtful accounts	76
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(2,715)	(4,007)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,441	4,185
Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment, net	1,847	4,329
Gain on assets held for sale	(3,053)
Gain on disposition of real estate		(10,379)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	2,690	53,025
Changes in contract receivable	3,288	3,236
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(6,119)	(15,074)
Net cash provided by operating activities	171,979	205,561
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Insurance proceeds - damaged property		1,027
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	37	3,295
Proceeds from sales of real estate		13,240
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	15,812
Change in restricted investments	895	(5,552)
Capital expenditures	(36,060)	(44,347)
Net cash used in investing activities	(19,316)	(32,337)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt		435,000
Payments on long-term debt	(54,318)	(356,831)
Payments on non-recourse debt	(4,343)	(3,797)
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(1,302)	(2,002)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	103	180
Debt issuance costs		(9,587)
Cash dividends paid		(30,487)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(59,860)	32,476
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(4,331)	(449)
Net Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	88,472	205,251
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	636,794	517,104
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Right-of-use assets obtained from operating lease liabilities	4,284	4,230
Equipment obtained from finance lease liabilities		1,198
Dividends paid in treasury shares		153
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 6,429	$ 6,163