Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 38,179	$ 50,483
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	425	(627)
Change in marketable securities, net of tax benefit of $107 and $0	(405)
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax provision of $23 and $41, respectively	85	156
Change in fair value of derivative instrument classified as cash flow hedge, net of tax provision of $655 and $784, respectively	2,464	2,948
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	2,569	2,477
Total comprehensive income	40,748	52,960
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	55	63
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 40,803	$ 53,023