Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 2,413,167	$ 2,376,727	$ 2,256,612
Operating Expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization)	1,744,228	1,662,885	1,629,046
Depreciation and Amortization	125,784	132,925	135,177
General and Administrative Expenses	190,766	196,972	204,306
Operating Income	352,389	383,945	288,083
Interest and Investment Income	7,792	15,988	24,007
Interest Expense	(218,292)	(164,550)	(129,460)
(Loss) Gain on Extinguishment of Debt	(8,532)	(37,895)	4,693
Net Gain on Dispositions of Assets	4,691	32,332	5,499
Income Before Income Taxes and Equity in Earnings of Affiliates	138,048	229,820	192,822
Provision for Income Taxes	35,399	62,899	122,730
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates, net of income tax provision of $868, $740 and $1,035	4,534	4,771	7,141
Net Income	107,183	171,692	77,233
Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	142	121	185
Net Income Attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 107,325	$ 171,813	$ 77,418
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic	121,908	121,040	120,384
Diluted	123,698	122,281	120,732
Basic:
Per share amount	$ 0.73	$ 1.18	$ 0.59
Diluted:
Net income per share — diluted	0.72	1.17	0.58
Dividends declared per share	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0.25