Shareholders' Equity - Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2024		Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2024		Jun. 30, 2023
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance		$ 1,308,621		$ 1,199,049	$ 1,290,314		$ 1,165,088
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		138		32	$ 667		81
Proceeds from exercise of stock options (shares)					147
Stock-based compensation expense		3,132		3,357	$ 8,788		8,935
Restricted stock canceled				(2)
Issuance of common shares	[1]	(1,613)			(1,613)
Shares withheld for net settlements of share - based awards	[2]	(51)			(7,463)		(3,445)
Reissuance of treasury shares / Sale of treasury share	[3]						5,750
Issuance of common stock - ESPP		43		41	79		80
Net income (loss)		(32,563)		29,525	(9,904)		57,519
Other comprehensive income (loss)		2,830		369	(331)		(1,637)
Ending Balance		1,280,537		1,232,371	1,280,537		1,232,371
Common shares
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance		$ 1,307		$ 1,302	$ 1,303		$ 1,289
Beginning Balance (shares)		126,457		125,955	126,087		124,061
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		$ 1			$ 1
Proceeds from exercise of stock options (shares)		74		5	147		12
Restricted stock granted		$ 6		$ 1	$ 16		$ 17
Restricted stock granted (shares)		625		117	1,554		1,758
Restricted stock canceled				$ (1)
Restricted stock canceled (shares)		(20)		(9)	(40)		(26)
Issuance of common shares	[1]	$ 82			$ 82
Issuance of common shares (in shares)	[1]	8,205			8,205
Shares withheld for net settlements of share - based awards	[2]				$ (6)		$ (4)
Shares withheld for net settlements of share-based awards (shares)	[2]	(3)			(618)		(383)
Reissuance of treasury shares / Sale of treasury share (shares)		4,210	[1]		4,210	[1]	642	[3]
Issuance of common stock - ESPP				$ 1			$ 1
Issuance of common stock - ESPP (in shares)		3		7	6		11
Ending Balance		$ 1,396		$ 1,303	$ 1,396		$ 1,303
Ending Balance (shares)		139,551		126,075	139,551		126,075
Additional Paid-In Capital
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance		$ 1,297,998		$ 1,289,399	$ 1,299,193		$ 1,291,363
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		137		32	666		81
Stock-based compensation expense		3,132		3,357	8,788		8,935
Restricted stock granted		(6)		(1)	(16)		(17)
Restricted stock canceled				(1)
Issuance of common shares	[1]	(1,695)			(1,695)
Shares withheld for net settlements of share - based awards	[2]	(51)			(7,457)		(3,441)
Reissuance of treasury shares / Sale of treasury share	[3]						(4,174)
Issuance of common stock - ESPP		43		40	79		79
Ending Balance		1,299,558		1,292,826	1,299,558		1,292,826
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance		125,757		23,767	103,089		(4,236)
Reissuance of treasury shares / Sale of treasury share	[1]	(95,175)			(95,175)
Net income (loss)		(32,513)		29,571	(9,845)		57,574
Ending Balance		(1,931)		53,338	(1,931)		53,338
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance		(19,815)		(18,935)	(16,642)		(16,919)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		2,845		353	(328)		(1,663)
Ending Balance		(16,970)		(18,582)	(16,970)		(18,582)
Treasury shares
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance		$ (95,175)		$ (95,175)	$ (95,175)		$ (105,099)
Beginning Balance (shares)		4,210		4,210	4,210		4,852
Reissuance of treasury shares / Sale of treasury share		$ 95,175	[1]		$ 95,175	[1]	$ 9,924	[3]
Reissuance of treasury shares / Sale of treasury share (shares)		(4,210)	[1]		(4,210)	[1]	(642)	[3]
Ending Balance				$ (95,175)			$ (95,175)
Ending Balance (shares)				4,210			4,210
Noncontrolling Interests
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance		$ (1,451)		$ (1,309)	$ (1,454)		$ (1,310)
Net income (loss)		(50)		(46)	(59)		(55)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(15)		16	(3)		26
Ending Balance		$ (1,516)		$ (1,339)	$ (1,516)		$ (1,339)

[1] During the second quarter of 2024, the Company retired $229.4 million in aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 6.50% Exchangeable Senior Notes in private exchange transactions for an exchange value of approximately $410 million. The consideration consisted of cash of $229.4 million and 12,414,455 shares of GEO common stock. Of the total amount of shares issued, the Company issued 4,209,847 shares that were previously held in treasury. Refer to Note 10 - Debt for further information.

[2] The Company withheld shares through net settlements to satisfy statutory tax withholding requirements upon the vesting of shares of restricted stock held by employees.

[3] The Company sold treasury shares to partially fund its obligation under its Amended and Restated Executive Retirement Agreement with its Executive Chairman. Refer to Note 13 - Benefit Plans for further information.