Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 2,423,702	$ 2,413,167	$ 2,376,727
Operating Expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization)	1,774,479	1,744,228	1,662,885
Depreciation and amortization	126,220	125,784	132,925
General and administrative expenses	213,028	190,766	196,972
Operating Income	309,975	352,389	383,945
Interest and Investment Income	8,787	7,792	15,988
Interest Expense	(190,624)	(218,292)	(164,550)
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt	(86,637)	(8,532)	(37,895)
Net (loss) Gain on Asset Divestitures/Impairment	(2,907)	4,691	32,332
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	38,594	138,048	229,820
Provision for Income Taxes	9,401	35,399	62,899
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates, net of income tax provision of $802, $868 and $740	2,703	4,534	4,771
Net Income	31,896	107,183	171,692
Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	70	142	121
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 31,966	$ 107,325	$ 171,813
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic	131,318	121,908	121,040
Diluted	134,064	123,698	122,281
Basic:
Net income per share - basic	$ 0.23	$ 0.73	$ 1.18
Diluted:
Net income per share — diluted	$ 0.22	$ 0.72	$ 1.17