Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (9,904)	$ 57,519
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	59	55
Net income (loss) attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	(9,845)	57,574
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	62,678	63,614
Stock-based compensation	8,788	8,935
Loss on extinguishment of debt	82,378	1,754
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	4,929	5,805
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(839)	(2,412)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint ventures	4,069	1,807
Realized/unrealized gain on investments	(3,279)	(3,503)
Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment, net	948	1,701
Loss (gain) on asset divestitures/impairment	2,907	(2,175)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	(16,758)	32,365
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(21,456)	(56,018)
Net cash provided by operating activities	114,520	109,447
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale		2,791
Purchases of marketable securities	(7,221)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	9,399
Capital expenditures	(39,174)	(31,614)
Net cash used in investing activities	(36,996)	(28,823)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(1,802,106)	(106,094)
Proceeds issuance of long-term debt	1,720,500
Proceeds from borrowings on revolver	40,000
Payments for call premiums	(34,258)
Proceeds from sale of treasury shares		5,750
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(7,463)	(3,445)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	79	80
Debt issuance costs	(30,621)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	667	81
Net cash used in financing activities	(113,202)	(103,628)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(1,511)	(2,050)
Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(37,189)	(25,054)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	159,867	143,843
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	122,678	118,789
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Right-of-use assets obtained from operating lease liabilities	3,479	31,289
Debt issuance costs in accrued expenses	4,115	3,850
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 719	$ 2,552