Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 31,896	$ 107,183	$ 171,692
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	70	142	121
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	31,966	107,325	171,813
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	126,220	125,784	132,925
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	1,537	1,476	(13,126)
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	8,252	12,030	9,004
Stock-based compensation	18,107	15,065	16,204
Loss on extinguishment of debt	86,637	8,532	37,895
Provision for credit losses			258
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(2,703)	(4,534)	(4,771)
(Gain) loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment	(250)	1,197	(114)
Realized/unrealized gain on investments	(6,084)	(7,151)	(8,433)
Net loss (gain) on asset divestitures/impairment	2,907	(4,691)	(32,332)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint ventures	5,082	2,987	4,486
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	(7,581)	11,672	(52,980)
Changes in contract receivable			5,305
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(21,854)	8,090	21,845
Net cash provided by operating activities	242,236	277,782	287,979
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of real estate and other assets		19,583	101,419
Purchases of marketable securities	(33,119)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	10,092
Capital expenditures	(78,691)	(73,002)	(90,026)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(101,718)	(53,419)	11,393
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(1,926,775)	(208,390)	(680,850)
Proceeds from long term debt	1,720,500		30,000
Proceeds from borrowings on revolver	110,000
Payments on non-recourse debt			(5,676)
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(9,657)	(3,443)	(1,302)
Debt issuance costs	(35,748)	(2,396)	(41,536)
Proceeds from the sale of treasury shares		5,750
Proceeds from stock options exercised	8,192	239	66
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	158	157	198
Payments for call premiums	(35,558)
Net cash used in financing activities	(168,888)	(208,083)	(699,100)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(5,633)	(256)	(4,751)
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(34,003)	16,024	(404,479)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	159,867	143,843	548,322
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	125,864	159,867	143,843
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes	15,684	19,227	44,612
Interest	190,606	198,710	103,752
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Principal Exchanges of Debt			1,620,318
Debt Issuance Costs in Accrued Expenses	0		11,245
Right-of-use assets obtained from operating lease liabilities	21,324	35,233	11,697
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 5,708	$ 675	$ 6,127