Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 100,947	$ 128,370
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	174	181
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	101,121	128,551
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	100,389	97,240
Stock-based compensation	19,163	16,919
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt	(3,035)	5,147
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	5,153	6,861
Provision for doubtful accounts	288	126
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(7,202)	(6,645)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	5,296	5,694
Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment, net	4,744	3,736
Loss on assets held for sale	774	1,083
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	58,498	46,114
Changes in contract receivable	3,787	6,338
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	69,151	11,794
Net cash provided by operating activities	358,127	322,958
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	9,497	17,389
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	83	402
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	1,516	823
Change in restricted investments	(4,455)	(5,449)
Capital expenditures	(83,817)	(90,787)
Net cash used in investing activities	(77,176)	(77,622)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	311,579	274,370
Payments on long-term debt	(380,055)	(310,616)
Payments on non-recourse debt	(4,530)	(332,717)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	0	322,906
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(2,789)	(4,177)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	465	400
Payment for repurchases of common stock	(9,562)	0
Debt issuance costs	0	(9,885)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	0	1,259
Cash dividends paid	(174,134)	(174,332)
Net cash used in financing activities	(259,026)	(232,792)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(309)	(2,063)
Net Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	21,616	10,481
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	67,472	84,472
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	89,088	94,953
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Right-of-use assets obtained from operating lease liabilities upon adoption of new lease standard	0	147,000
Right-of-use assets obtained from operating lease liabilities	10,398	0
Equipment obtained from finance lease liabilities	1,616	0
Dividends paid in treasury shares	553	0
Conversion of pension liability to shares of common stock	8,925	0
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 7,983	$ 5,231