The GEO Group, Inc. (GEO) 10-Q 3 Nov 17 2017 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Nov. 01, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	GEO GROUP INC
Entity Central Index Key	923,796
Document Type	10-Q
Trading Symbol	GEO
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2017
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		124,070,516

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 566,759	$ 554,376	$ 1,694,443	$ 1,612,911
Operating expenses	423,134	415,659	1,276,286	1,221,002
Depreciation and amortization	31,649	28,783	92,464	85,886
General and administrative expenses	49,074	37,483	143,866	108,448
Operating income	62,902	72,451	181,827	197,575
Interest income	14,648	7,928	38,971	18,387
Interest expense	(38,719)	(33,428)	(109,702)	(93,864)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	0	(15,885)
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	38,831	46,951	111,096	106,213
Provision for income taxes	1,720	4,970	5,590	12,000
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision of $577, $650, $1,785 and $1,850, respectively	1,342	1,693	4,255	4,943
Net income	38,453	43,674	109,761	99,156
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	36	46	123	123
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 38,489	$ 43,720	$ 109,884	$ 99,279
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	122,251	111,162	119,356	111,015
Diluted (in shares)	122,887	111,504	120,114	111,425
Basic:
Income per common share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.39	$ 0.92	$ 0.89
Diluted:
Income per common share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. - diluted (in dollars per share)	0.31	0.39	0.91	0.89
Dividends declared per share (in US dollars per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.43	$ 1.41	$ 1.30

Consolidated Statements of Ope3

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Income tax provision on equity in earnings of affiliates	$ 577	$ 650	$ 1,785	$ 1,850

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net income	$ 38,453	$ 43,674	$ 109,761	$ 99,156
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(179)	970	2,030	2,081
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax provision of $25, $21, $76 and $63, respectively	64	33	175	98
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instrument classified as cash flow hedge, net of tax (provision) benefit of $(307), $81, $(451) and $893, respectively	1,740	(520)	2,556	(5,162)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1,625	483	4,761	(2,983)
Total comprehensive income	40,078	44,157	114,522	96,173
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	34	36	119	104
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 40,112	$ 44,193	$ 114,641	$ 96,277

Consolidated Statements of Com5

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Tax provision on defined benefit pension plans	$ 25	$ 21	$ 76	$ 63
Tax provision on loss on derivative instrument classified as a cash flow hedge	$ (307)	$ 81	$ (451)	$ 893

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 51,526	$ 68,038
Restricted cash and investments	12,452	17,133
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,199 and $3,664, respectively	386,898	356,255
Contract receivable, current portion	243,531	224,033
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	36,073	32,210
Total current assets	730,480	697,669
Restricted Cash and Investments	31,032	20,848
Property and Equipment, Net	2,055,982	1,897,241
Non-Current Contract Receivable	405,780	219,783
Deferred Income Tax Assets	31,831	30,039
Goodwill	781,972	615,433
Intangible Assets, Net	261,790	203,884
Other Non-Current Assets	70,474	64,512
Total Assets	4,369,341	3,749,409
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	91,617	79,637
Accrued payroll and related taxes	48,780	55,260
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	174,321	131,096
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	260,046	238,065
Total current liabilities	574,764	504,058
Other Non-Current Liabilities	92,804	88,656
Capital Lease Obligations	6,412	7,431
Long-Term Debt	2,157,882	1,935,465
Non-Recourse Debt	323,387	238,842
Commitments, Contingencies and Other (Note 11)
Shareholders’ Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 187,500,000 shares authorized, 123,990,529 and 112,547,544 issued and outstanding, respectively	1,240	1,125
Additional paid-in capital	1,185,643	891,993
Earnings in excess of distributions	53,495	112,763
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(26,068)	(30,825)
Total shareholders’ equity attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	1,214,310	975,056
Noncontrolling interests	(218)	(99)
Total shareholders’ equity	1,214,092	974,957
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$ 4,369,341	$ 3,749,409

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 4,119	$ 3,664
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	187,500,000	187,500,000
Common stock, shares issued	123,990,529	112,547,544
Common stock, shares outstanding	123,990,529	112,547,544

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 109,761	$ 99,156
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	123	123
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	109,884	99,279
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	92,464	85,886
Stock-based compensation	14,852	9,675
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	15,885
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	11,922	8,330
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,597	1,783
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(4,255)	(4,943)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	5,052	1,611
Income tax deficiency related to equity compensation	0	844
Loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment, net	2,194	764
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	5,527	(33,953)
Changes in contract receivable	(163,083)	(205,135)
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(18,326)	8,216
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	57,828	(11,758)
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired	(353,555)	0
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	86	4,733
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	856	68
Change in restricted cash and investments	(4,820)	(97,716)
Capital expenditures	(104,130)	(68,015)
Net cash used in investing activities	(461,563)	(160,930)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,324,865	813,077
Payments on long-term debt	(1,093,088)	(775,256)
Payments on non-recourse debt	(68,887)	(1,878)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	123,785	273,087
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(4,122)	(2,336)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under prospectus supplement	275,867	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	382	338
Debt issuance costs	(9,470)	(20,490)
Income tax deficiency related to equity compensation	0	(844)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	6,786	2,367
Cash dividends paid	(169,152)	(145,991)
Net cash provided by financing activities	386,966	142,074
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	257	1,099
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(16,512)	(29,515)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	68,038	59,638
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	51,526	30,123
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 7,526	$ 2,410

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	BASIS OF PRESENTATION The GEO Group, Inc., a Florida corporation, and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “GEO”) is a fully-integrated real estate investment trust (“REIT”) specializing in the ownership, leasing and management of correctional, detention and reentry facilities and the provision of community-based services and youth services in the United States, Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom. The Company owns, leases and operates a broad range of correctional and detention facilities including maximum, medium and minimum security prisons, immigration detention centers, minimum security detention centers, as well as community-based reentry facilities and offers an expanded delivery of offender rehabilitation services under its 'GEO Continuum of Care' platform. The 'GEO Continuum of Care' program integrates enhanced in-prison programs, which are evidence-based and include cognitive behavioral treatment and post-release services, provides academic and vocational classes to life skills and treatment programs while helping individuals reintegrate into their communities. The Company develops new facilities based on contract awards, using its project development expertise and experience to design, construct and finance what it believes are state-of-the-art facilities that maximize security and efficiency. The Company provides innovative compliance technologies, industry-leading monitoring services, and evidence-based supervision and treatment programs for community-based parolees, probationers and pretrial defendants. The Company also provides secure transportation services for offender and detainee populations as contracted domestically and in the United Kingdom through its joint venture GEO Amey PECS Ltd. (“GEOAmey”). At September 30, 2017, after its acquisition of Community Education Centers ("CEC") (Refer to Note 2 - Business Combinations), the Company’s worldwide operations include the management and/or ownership of approximately 96,000 beds at 140 correctional and detention facilities, including idle facilities, projects under development and recently awarded contracts, and also include the provision of community supervision services for more than 185,000 offenders and pretrial defendants, including approximately 100,000 individuals through an array of technology products including radio frequency, GPS, and alcohol monitoring devices. In March 2017, the Company's Board of Directors declared a 3 -for- 2 stock split of its common stock. The stock split was completed on April 24, 2017 with respect to shareholders of record on April 10, 2017. Outstanding share and per-share amounts disclosed for all periods presented have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the effects of the stock split. On April 24, 2017, the Company amended its articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock to take into effect the stock split. The Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and the instructions to Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all disclosures required by Form 10-K. The accounting policies followed for quarterly financial reporting are the same as those disclosed in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2017 for the year ended December 31, 2016 . The accompanying December 31, 2016 consolidated balance sheet has been derived from those audited financial statements. Additional information may be obtained by referring to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 . In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring items) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information for the interim periods reported in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been made. Results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year ending December 31, 2017 , or for any other future interim or annual periods.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combinations	BUSINESS COMBINATIONS Community Education Centers Acquisition On April 5, 2017, the Company completed its acquisition of CEC, pursuant to a definitive merger agreement entered into on February 12, 2017 between the Company, GEO/DE/MC/01 LLC, and CEC Parent Holdings LLC. CEC is a private provider of rehabilitation services for offenders in reentry and in-prison treatment facilities as well as management services for county, state and federal correctional and detention facilities. CEC's operations encompass over 12,000 beds nationwide. Under the terms of the merger agreement, the Company acquired 100% of the voting interests in CEC for $353.6 million , net of cash acquired of $3.0 million , in an all cash transaction, excluding transaction related expenses paid at closing of $4.1 million . At the time of the acquisition, approximately $115 million of CEC indebtedness, including accrued interest, was outstanding. All indebtedness of CEC was repaid by the Company with a portion of the $353.6 million merger consideration. The purchase price was reduced by $2.6 million as a result of the final working capital target settlement received by the Company during the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. Additionally, for tax periods ending on or prior to December 31, 2018, the purchase price may be adjusted for any tax benefits realized by the Company attributable to certain transactional tax deductions if such deductions are able to be taken by the Company and will result in an incremental tax benefit. The Company has estimated a maximum potential adjustment of approximately $1.9 million but has preliminarily estimated the fair value of this contingency at zero at the acquisition date. The Company is still reviewing the various tax implications of the acquisition which may impact the ultimate fair value of this contingency. Purchase price allocation GEO is identified as the acquiring company for US GAAP accounting purposes. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the purchase price for CEC was allocated to CEC's net tangible and intangible assets based on their estimated fair values as of April 5, 2017, the date of closing and the date that the Company obtained control of CEC. In order to determine the fair values of certain tangible and intangible assets acquired, the Company engaged a third party independent valuation specialist. For all other assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the recorded fair value was determined by the Company's management and represents an estimate of the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The allocation of the purchase price for this transaction as of April 5, 2017 has not been finalized. The primary areas of the preliminary purchase price allocations that are not finalized relate to the fair values of certain tangible and intangible assets and liabilities acquired and income taxes. The Company expects to continue to obtain information to assist in determining the fair value of the net assets acquired at the acquisition date during the measurement period. Measurement period adjustments that the Company determines to be material will be recorded in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company made measurement period adjustments of approximately $6.0 million to provisional amounts with respect to the CEC acquisition that were recognized at the acquisition date to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date. These adjustments related to the Company's valuation of accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, other noncurrent liabilities and deferred income tax assets. Of the total measurement period adjustment, approximately $4.6 million related to the valuation of an unfavorable contract liability which had the effect of reducing goodwill and the unfavorable contract liability. The remaining measurement period adjustments were not individually significant. The adjusted purchase price of $353.6 million has been preliminarily allocated to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of April 5, 2017 as follows (in '000's): Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation Accounts Receivable $ 29,916 Prepaid and other current assets 4,407 Property and equipment 126,510 Intangible assets 76,000 Favorable lease assets 3,110 Deferred income tax assets 1,792 Other non-current assets 4,327 Total assets acquired $ 246,062 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 52,341 Unfavorable lease liabilities 1,299 Other non-current liabilities 5,360 Total liabilities assumed $ 59,000 Total identifiable net assets 187,062 Goodwill 166,493 Total consideration paid, net of cash acquired $ 353,555 As shown above, the Company recorded $166.5 million of goodwill related to the purchase of CEC. The strategic benefits of the merger include the Company's ability to further position itself to meet the demand for increasingly diversified correctional, detention and community reentry facilities and services and the Company's ability to expand the delivery of enhanced in- prison rehabilitation including evidence-based treatment, integrated with post-release support services through GEO's Continuum of Care platform. These factors contributed to the goodwill that was recorded upon consummation of the transaction. The Company does not believe that any of the goodwill recorded as a result of the CEC acquisition will be deductible for federal income tax purposes. Identifiable intangible assets purchased in the acquisition and their weighted average amortization periods in total and by major intangible asset class, as applicable, are included in the table below: Weighted Average Useful Life (years) Fair Value as of April 5, 2017 Facility management contracts 18.3 $ 75,300 Covenants not to compete 1 700 Total acquired intangible assets $ 76,000 Pro forma financial information The results of operations of CEC are included in the Company's results of operations from April 5, 2017. The following unaudited pro forma information combines the consolidated results of operations of the Company and CEC as if the acquisition had occurred at January 1, 2016, which is the beginning of the earliest period presented. The pro forma amounts are included for comparative purposes and may not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have resulted had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the applicable period and may not be indicative of the results that will be attained in the future (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 Pro forma revenues $ 566,759 $ 621,565 $ 1,756,320 $ 1,805,064 Pro forma net income attributable to the GEO Group, Inc. $ 42,033 $ 44,525 $ 122,832 $ 100,372 The unaudited pro forma combined financial information presented above is compiled from the financial statements of the combined companies and includes pro forma adjustments for: (i) estimated changes in depreciation expense, interest expense and amortization expense; (ii) adjustments to eliminate intercompany transactions; (iii) adjustments to remove $14.0 million , for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, of non-recurring transaction and merger related costs directly related to the CEC acquisition that are included in the combined companies' financial results; and (iv) the income tax impact of the adjustments.The unaudited pro forma financial information does not include any adjustments to reflect the impact of cost savings or other synergies that may result from this acquisition. As noted above, the unaudited pro forma financial information does not purport to be indicative of the actual results that would have been achieved by the combined companies for the periods presented or that may be achieved by the combined companies in the future. The Company has included revenue and earnings of approximately $114 million and $14 million , respectively, in its consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 for CEC activity since April 5, 2017, the date of acquisition.

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS The Company has recorded goodwill as a result of its various business combinations. On April 5, 2017, the Company completed its acquisition of CEC. Refer to Note 2 - Business Combinations. Goodwill is recorded as the difference, if any, between the aggregate consideration paid for an acquisition and the fair value of the tangible assets and intangible assets acquired net of liabilities assumed, including noncontrolling interests. Changes in the Company's goodwill balances from December 31, 2016 to September 30, 2017 are as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2016 Acquisitions Foreign Currency Translation September 30, 2017 U.S. Corrections & Detention $ 277,774 $ 41,604 $ — $ 319,378 GEO Care 337,257 124,889 — 462,146 International Services 402 — 46 448 Total Goodwill $ 615,433 166,493 $ 46 $ 781,972 The Company has also recorded other finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets as a result of its various business combinations. Refer to Note 2 - Business Combinations for a discussion of the Company's recent acquisition of CEC. The Company's intangible assets include facility management contracts, covenants not to compete, trade names and technology, as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Weighted Average Useful Life (years) Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Facility management contracts 16.3 $ 308,446 $ (101,537 ) $ 206,909 $ 233,136 $ (87,256 ) $ 145,880 Covenants not to compete 1 700 (342 ) 358 — — — Technology 7.3 33,700 (24,377 ) 9,323 33,700 (20,896 ) 12,804 Trade name (Indefinite lived) Indefinite 45,200 — 45,200 45,200 — 45,200 Total acquired intangible assets $ 388,046 $ (126,256 ) $ 261,790 $ 312,036 $ (108,152 ) $ 203,884 Amortization expense was $6.5 million and $18.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , respectively. Amortization expense was $5.1 million and $15.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively. Amortization expense was primarily related to the U.S. Corrections & Detention and GEO Care segments' amortization of acquired facility management contracts. As of September 30, 2017 , the weighted average period before the next contract renewal or extension for the acquired facility management contracts was approximately 1.6 years. Although the facility management contracts acquired have renewal and extension terms in the near term, the Company has historically maintained these relationships beyond the current contractual periods. Estimated amortization expense related to the Company's finite-lived intangible assets for the remainder of 2017 through 2021 and thereafter is as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Total Amortization Expense Remainder of 2017 $ 6,525 2018 22,821 2019 22,310 2020 22,310 2021 20,090 Thereafter 122,534 $ 216,590

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Financial Instruments	FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The following tables provide a summary of the Company’s significant financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2017 Carrying Value at September 30, 2017 Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) Significant Other Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Assets: Restricted investment: Rabbi Trust $ 19,472 $ — $ 19,472 $ — Fixed income securities 1,917 — 1,917 — Liabilities: Interest rate swap derivatives $ 15,673 $ — $ 15,673 $ — Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016 Carrying Value at December 31, 2016 Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Assets: Restricted investments: Rabbi Trust $ 15,662 $ — $ 15,662 $ — Fixed income securities 1,782 — 1,782 — Interest rate cap derivatives 15 — 15 — Liabilities: Interest rate swap derivatives $ 18,679 $ — $ 18,679 $ — The Company’s Level 2 financial instruments included in the tables above as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consist of interest rate swap derivative liabilities and interest rate cap derivative assets held by the Company's Australian subsidiary, the Company's rabbi trust established for GEO employee and employer contributions to The GEO Group, Inc. Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan and an investment in Canadian dollar denominated fixed income securities. The balance of the interest rate cap derivative assets at September 30, 2017 was not significant. The Australian subsidiary’s interest rate swap derivative liabilities and interest rate cap derivative assets are valued using a discounted cash flow model based on projected Australian borrowing rates. The Company's restricted investment in the rabbi trust is invested in Company owned life insurance policies which are recorded at their cash surrender values. These investments are valued based on the underlying investments held in the policies' separate account. The underlying assets are equity and fixed income pooled funds that are comprised of Level 1 and Level 2 securities. The Canadian dollar denominated securities, not actively traded, are valued using quoted rates for these and similar securities.

Fair Value of Assets and Liabil

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities	FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES The Company’s consolidated balance sheets reflect certain financial assets and liabilities at carrying value. The carrying value of certain debt instruments, if applicable, is net of unamortized discount. The following tables present the carrying values of those financial instruments and the estimated corresponding fair values at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): Estimated Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2017 Carrying Value as of September 30, 2017 Total Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 51,526 $ 51,526 $ 51,526 $ — $ — Restricted cash and investments 24,012 24,012 20,592 3,420 — Liabilities: Borrowings under senior credit facility $ 1,041,874 $ 1,047,844 $ — $ 1,047,844 $ — 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024 250,000 260,943 — 260,943 — 5.125% Senior Notes 300,000 305,418 — 305,418 — 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022 250,000 260,985 — 260,985 — 6.00% Senior Notes 350,000 368,571 — 368,571 — Non-recourse debt, Australian subsidiary 549,926 549,926 — 549,926 — Other non-recourse debt, including current portion 36,381 37,465 — 37,465 — Estimated Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016 Carrying Value as of December 31, 2016 Total Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 68,038 $ 68,038 $ 68,038 $ — $ — Restricted cash and investments 22,319 22,319 19,614 2,705 — Liabilities: Borrowings under senior credit facility $ 804,500 $ 795,008 $ — $ 795,008 $ — 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024 250,000 247,813 — 247,813 — 5.125% Senior Notes 300,000 292,125 — 292,125 — 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022 250,000 254,688 — 254,688 — 6.00% Senior Notes 350,000 346,938 — 346,938 — Non-recourse debt, Australian subsidiary 454,222 454,185 — 454,185 — Other non-recourse debt, including current portion 36,280 37,550 — 37,550 — The fair values of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash approximates the carrying values of these assets at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . Restricted cash consists of money market funds, bank deposits, commercial paper and time deposits used for asset replacement funds contractually required to be maintained at the Company's Australian subsidiary and contractual commitments related to the design and construction of a new facility in Ravenhall Australia. The fair value of the money market funds and bank deposits is based on quoted market prices (Level 1) and the fair value of commercial paper and time deposits is based on market prices for similar instruments (Level 2). The fair values of the Company's 5.875% senior unsecured notes due 2022 ("5.875% Senior Notes due 2022"), 5.875% senior unsecured notes due 2024 (" 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024"), 6.00% senior unsecured notes due 2026 (“6.00% Senior Notes”), and the 5.125% senior unsecured notes due 2023 (" 5.125% Senior Notes"), although not actively traded, are based on published financial data for these instruments. The fair values of the Company's non-recourse debt related to the Washington Economic Development Finance Authority ("WEDFA") is based on market prices for similar instruments. The fair value of the non-recourse debt related to the Company’s Australian subsidiary is estimated based on market prices of similar instruments. The fair value of borrowings under the senior credit facility is based on an estimate of trading value considering the Company’s borrowing rate, the undrawn spread and similar instruments.

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY The following table presents the changes in shareholders’ equity that are attributable to the Company’s shareholders and to noncontrolling interests (in thousands): Common shares Additional Paid-In Earnings in Excess of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Noncontrolling Total Shareholders' Shares Amount Capital Distributions Loss Interests Equity Balance, January 1, 2017 112,548 $ 1,125 $ 891,993 $ 112,763 $ (30,825 ) $ (99 ) $ 974,957 Proceeds from exercise of stock options 348 3 6,783 — — — 6,786 Stock-based compensation expense — — 14,852 — — — 14,852 Restricted stock granted 927 9 (9 ) — — — — Restricted stock canceled (60 ) — — — — — — Dividends paid — — — (169,152 ) — — (169,152 ) Issuance of common stock - prospectus supplement 10,350 104 275,763 — — — 275,867 Shares withheld for net settlements of share-based awards (135 ) (1 ) (4,121 ) — — — (4,122 ) Issuance of common stock - ESPP 13 — 382 — — — 382 Net income (loss) — — — 109,884 — (123 ) 109,761 Other comprehensive income — — — — 4,757 4 4,761 Balance, September 30, 2017 123,991 $ 1,240 $ 1,185,643 $ 53,495 $ (26,068 ) $ (218 ) $ 1,214,092 During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the Company withheld shares through net share settlements to satisfy statutory tax withholding requirements upon vesting of shares of restricted stock held by employees. Outstanding share and per-share amounts disclosed for all periods presented have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the effects of the stock split. Refer to Note 1 - Basis of Presentation. REIT Distributions As a REIT, GEO is required to distribute annually at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and by excluding net capital gain) and began paying regular quarterly REIT dividends in 2013. The amount, timing and frequency of future dividends, however, will be at the sole discretion of GEO's Board of Directors (the "Board”) and will be declared based upon various factors, many of which are beyond GEO's control, including, GEO's financial condition and operating cash flows, the amount required to maintain REIT status, limitations on distributions in GEO's existing and future debt instruments, limitations on GEO's ability to fund distributions using cash generated through GEO's taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs") and other factors that GEO's Board may deem relevant. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2016 , respectively, GEO declared and paid the following regular cash distributions to its shareholders as follows: Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Distribution Per Share Aggregate Payment Amount (in millions) February 3, 2016 February 16, 2016 February 26, 2016 $0.43 $48.5 April 20, 2016 May 2, 2016 May 12, 2016 $0.43 $48.7 July 20, 2016 August 1, 2016 August 12, 2016 $0.43 $48.7 October 18, 2016 October 31, 2016 November 10, 2016 $0.43 $48.8 February 6, 2017 February 17, 2017 February 27, 2017 $0.47 $52.5 April 25, 2017 May 9, 2017 May 19, 2017 $0.47 $58.4 July 10, 2017 July 21, 2017 July 28, 2017 $0.47 $58.3 Distributions per share above have been adjusted to reflect the effects of the stock split. Common Stock Offering On March 7, 2017, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement related to the issuance and sale of 9,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company. The offering price to the public was $27.80 per share and the underwriters agreed to purchase the shares from the Company pursuant to the underwriting agreement at a price of $26.70 per share. In addition, under the terms of the underwriting agreement, the Company granted the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days , to purchase up to an additional 1,350,000 shares of common stock. On March 8, 2017, the underwriters exercised in full their option to purchase the additional 1,350,000 shares of common stock. On March 13, 2017, the Company announced that it had completed the sale of 10,350,000 shares of common stock with its previously announced underwritten public offering. GEO received gross proceeds (before underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses) of approximately $288.1 million from the offering, including approximately $37.6 million in connection with the sale of the additional shares. Fees paid in connection with the offering were not significant and have been netted against additional paid-in capital. The 10,350,000 shares of common stock were issued under GEO's previously effective shelf registration filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The previously effective registration statement on Form S-3 expired September 12, 2017. On October 20, 2017, GEO filed a new registration statement on Form S-3 that automatically became effective. Refer to Note 16 - Subsequent Events. The net proceeds of this offering were used to repay amounts outstanding under the revolver portion of the Company's senior credit facility and for general corporate purposes. The number of shares and per-share amounts herein have been adjusted to reflect the effects of the stock split. Refer to Note 1 - Basis of Presentation Prospectus Supplement In September 2014, the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3. On November 10, 2014, in connection with the shelf registration, the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a prospectus supplement related to the offer and sale from time to time of the Company's common stock at an aggregate offering price of up to $150.0 million through sales agents. Sales of shares of the Company's common stock under the prospectus supplement and the equity distribution agreements entered into with the sales agents, if any, may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be "at the market" offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933. There were no shares of common stock sold under this prospectus supplement during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 or during the year ended December 31, 2016. On September 12, 2017, the shelf registration expired. On October 20, 2017, the Company filed with the SEC a new automatic shelf registration on Form S-3. Under this new shelf registration, the Company may, from time to time, sell any combination of securities described in the prospectus in one or more offerings. Each time that the Company may sell securities, the Company will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the securities being offered. Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) represents the change in shareholders' equity from transactions and other events and circumstances arising from non-shareholder sources. The Company's total comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income attributable to GEO, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, foreign currency translation adjustments that arise from consolidating foreign operations that do not impact cash flows, net unrealized gains and/or losses on derivative instruments, and pension liability adjustments within shareholders' equity and comprehensive income (loss). The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to GEO within shareholders' equity are as follows: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (In thousands) Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. (1) Unrealized (loss)/gain on derivatives, net of tax Pension adjustments, net of tax Total Balance, January 1, 2017 $ (11,284 ) $ (15,877 ) $ (3,664 ) $ (30,825 ) Current-period other comprehensive income 2,026 2,556 175 4,757 Balance, September 30, 2017 $ (9,258 ) $ (13,321 ) $ (3,489 ) $ (26,068 ) (1) The foreign currency translation related to noncontrolling interests was not significant at September 30, 2017 or December 31, 2016 .

Equity Incentive Plans

Equity Incentive Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Equity Incentive Plans	EQUITY INCENTIVE PLANS The Board has adopted The GEO Group, Inc. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2014 Plan"), which was approved by the Company's shareholders on May 2, 2014. The 2014 Plan replaced the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2006 Plan"). As of the date the 2014 Plan was adopted, it provided for a reserve of 4,625,030 shares, which consisted of 3,000,000 new shares of common stock available for issuance and 1,625,030 shares of common stock that were available for issuance under the 2006 Plan prior to the 2014 Plan replacing it adjusted to reflect the effects of the stock split. The Company filed a Form S-8 registration statement related to the 2014 Plan on June 4, 2014, which was amended on July 18, 2014. Outstanding share and per-share amounts disclosed for all periods presented have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the effects of the stock split. Refer to Note 1 - Basis of Presentation. Stock Options The Company uses a Black-Scholes option valuation model to estimate the fair value of each time based or performance based option awarded. For options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the fair value was estimated using the following assumptions: (i) volatility of 35.72% ; (ii) expected term of 5.00 years; (iii) risk free interest rate of 1.53% ; and (iv) expected dividend yield of 5.79% . A summary of the activity of stock option awards issued and outstanding under Company plans is as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 : Shares Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price Wtd. Avg. Remaining Contractual Term (years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) (in thousands) Options outstanding at January 1, 2017 1,211 $ 20.65 7.14 $ 5,466 Options granted 462 32.30 Options exercised (348 ) 19.22 Options forfeited/canceled/expired (59 ) 27.35 Options outstanding at September 30, 2017 1,266 $ 24.98 7.61 $ 5,200 Options vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2017 1,186 $ 24.77 7.53 $ 5,025 Options exercisable at September 30, 2017 538 $ 21.96 6.27 $ 3,352 During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the Company granted approximately 462,000 options to certain employees which had a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $5.91 per share. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 , the amount of stock-based compensation expense related to stock options was $1.1 million and $0.4 million , respectively. As of September 30, 2017 , the Company had $1.9 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested stock option awards that are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.1 years. Restricted Stock Compensation expense for nonvested stock awards is recorded over the vesting period based on the fair value at the date of grant. Generally, the restricted stock awards vest in equal increments over either a three or four -year period. The fair value of restricted stock awards, which do not contain a market-based vesting condition, is determined using the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The Company has issued share-based awards with service-based, performance-based and market-based vesting criteria. A summary of the activity of restricted stock outstanding is as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 : Shares Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value (in thousands) Restricted stock outstanding at January 1, 2017 1,346 $ 24.37 Granted 927 35.33 Vested (439 ) 23.20 Forfeited/canceled (60 ) 26.76 Restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2017 1,774 $ 30.45 During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the Company granted approximately 927,000 shares of restricted stock to certain employees and executive officers. Of these awards, 295,000 are market and performance-based awards which will be forfeited if the Company does not achieve certain annual metrics during 2018, 2019 and 2020. The vesting of these performance-based restricted stock grants are subject to the achievement by GEO of two annual performance metrics as follows: (i) up to 50% of the shares of restricted stock ("TSR Target Award") can vest at the end of a three year performance period if GEO meets certain total shareholder return ("TSR") performance targets, as compared to the total shareholder return of a peer group of companies, over a three year period from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 and (ii) up to 50% of the shares of restricted stock ("ROCE Target Award") can vest at the end of a three year period if GEO meets certain return on capital employed ("ROCE") performance targets over a three year period from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019. These market and performance awards can vest at between 0% and 200% of the target awards for both metrics. The number of shares shown for the performance-based awards is based on the target awards for both metrics. The metric related to ROCE is considered to be a performance condition. For share-based awards that contain a performance condition, the achievement of the targets must be probable before any share-based compensation expense is recorded. The Company reviews the likelihood of which the target in the range will be achieved and if deemed probable, compensation expense is recorded at that time. If subsequent to initial measurement there is a change in the estimate of the probability of meeting the performance condition, the effect of the change in the estimated quantity of awards expected to vest is recognized by cumulatively adjusting compensation expense. If ultimately the performance targets are not met, for any awards where vesting was previously deemed probable, previously recognized compensation expense will be reversed in the period in which vesting is no longer deemed probable. The fair value of these awards was determined based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The metric related to TSR is considered to be a market condition. For share-based awards that contain a market condition, the probability of satisfying the market condition must be considered in the estimate of grant-date fair value and previously recorded compensation expense is not reversed if the market condition is never met. The fair value of these awards was determined based on a Monte Carlo simulation, which calculates a range of possible outcomes and the probabilities that they will occur, using the following average key assumptions: (i) volatility of 42.2% ; (ii) beta of 1.11 ; and (iii) risk free rates of 1.46% . For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 , the Company recognized $13.8 million and $9.2 million , respectively, of compensation expense related to its restricted stock awards. As of September 30, 2017 , the Company had $36.4 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested restricted stock awards, including non-vested restricted stock awards with performance-based and market-based vesting, that are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.7 years. Employee Stock Purchase Plan The Company previously adopted The GEO Group Inc. 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan or "ESPP”) which was approved by the Company's shareholders. The purpose of the Plan, which is qualified under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1986, as amended, is to encourage stock ownership through payroll deductions by the employees of GEO and designated subsidiaries of GEO in order to increase their identification with the Company’s goals and secure a proprietary interest in the Company’s success. These deductions are used to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a 5% discount from the then current market price. The Company has made available up to 750,000 , as split adjusted, shares of its common stock, which were registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2012, as amended on July 18, 2014, for sale to eligible employees under the Plan. The Plan is considered to be non-compensatory. As such, there is no compensation expense required to be recognized. Share purchases under the Plan are made on the last day of each month. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , 13,360 shares of the Company's common stock were issued in connection with the Plan.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing the net income from continuing operations attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. by the weighted average number of outstanding shares of common stock. The calculation of diluted earnings per share is similar to that of basic earnings per share except that the denominator includes dilutive common stock equivalents such as stock options and shares of restricted stock. Basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 Net income $ 38,453 $ 43,674 $ 109,761 $ 99,156 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 36 46 123 123 Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. 38,489 43,720 109,884 99,279 Basic earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.: Weighted average shares outstanding 122,251 111,162 119,356 111,015 Per share amount $ 0.31 $ 0.39 $ 0.92 $ 0.89 Diluted earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.: Weighted average shares outstanding 122,251 111,162 119,356 111,015 Dilutive effect of equity incentive plans 636 342 758 410 Weighted average shares assuming dilution 122,887 111,504 120,114 111,425 Per share amount $ 0.31 $ 0.39 $ 0.91 $ 0.89 Outstanding share and per-share amounts disclosed for all periods presented have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the effects of the stock split. Three Months For the three months ended September 30, 2017 , 681,007 weighted average shares of common stock underlying options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share ("EPS") because the effect would be anti-dilutive. There were 814,800 common stock equivalents from restricted shares that were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 , 921,192 weighted average shares of common stock underlying options were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS because the effect would be anti-dilutive. There were 357,842 common stock equivalents from restricted shares that were anti-dilutive. Nine Months For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , 601,453 weighted average shares of common stock underlying options were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS because the effect would be anti-dilutive. There were 662,126 common stock equivalents from restricted shares that were anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , 849,915 weighted average shares of common stock underlying options were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS because the effect would be anti-dilutive. There were 333,782 common stock equivalents from restricted shares that were anti-dilutive.

Derivative Financial Instrument

Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The Company’s primary objective in holding derivatives is to reduce the volatility of earnings and cash flows associated with changes in interest rates. The Company measures its derivative financial instruments at fair value. Australia - Fulham The Company’s Australian subsidiary is a party to an interest rate swap agreement to fix the interest rate on its variable rate non-recourse debt (related to its Fulham facility) to 9.7% . The Company had determined the swap's payment and expiration dates, and call provisions that coincided with the terms of the non-recourse debt, to be an effective cash flow hedge. Accordingly, the Company recorded the change in the fair value of the interest rate swap in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes. Total unrealized gains recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax, related to this cash flow hedge were not significant for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 . The associated non-recourse debt was paid off during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and the interest rate swap is no longer in existence as of September 30, 2017 . Australia - Ravenhall The Company’s Australian subsidiary has entered into interest rate swap agreements to fix the interest rate on its variable rate non-recourse debt related to a prison project in Ravenhall, a locality near Melbourne, Australia to 3.3% during the design and construction phase and 4.2% during the project's operating phase. The swaps' notional amounts coincide with construction draw fixed commitments throughout the project. At September 30, 2017 , the swaps had a notional amount of approximately AUD 703 million , or $551 million , based on exchange rates at September 30, 2017 , related to the outstanding draws for the design and construction phase and approximately AUD 466 million , or $365 million , based on exchange rates at September 30, 2017 related to future construction draws. At the onset, the Company had determined that the swaps have payment, expiration dates, and provisions that coincide with the terms of the non-recourse debt scheduled construction draw commitments and were therefore considered to be effective cash flow hedges. During 2017, certain of the critical terms of the swap agreements no longer coincided with the scheduled construction draw commitments. However, the swaps are still considered to be highly effective and the measurement of any ineffectiveness was not significant during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 . Accordingly, the Company records the change in the fair value of the interest rate swaps in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes. Total unrealized gain recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax, related to this cash flow hedge was $2.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 . The total fair value of the swap liability as of September 30, 2017 was $15.7 million and is recorded as a component of Other Non-Current liabilities within the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. There was no material ineffectiveness for the periods presented. The Company does not expect to enter into any transactions during the next twelve months which would result in the reclassification into earnings or losses associated with these swaps currently reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Additionally, upon completion and commercial acceptance of the prison project, the Department of Justice in the State of Victoria (the "State") in accordance with the prison contract, will make a lump sum payment of AUD 310 million , or approximately $243 million , based on exchange rates at September 30, 2017 , towards a portion of the outstanding principal of the non-recourse debt. The Company's Australian subsidiary also entered into interest rate cap agreements giving the Company the option to cap the interest rate on its variable non-recourse debt related to the project in the event that the completion of the prison project is delayed which could delay the State's payment. These instruments do not meet the requirements for hedge accounting, and therefore, changes in fair value of the interest rate caps are recorded in earnings. Total losses related to a decrease in the fair value of the interest rate cap assets were not significant during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 or 2016. The total fair value of the interest rate cap assets was not significant as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, and is recorded as a component of other non-current assets within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	DEBT Debt outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Senior Credit Facility: Term loan $ 796,000 $ 289,500 Unamortized discount on term loan (3,660 ) (375 ) Unamortized debt issuance costs on term loan (7,961 ) — Revolver 245,874 515,000 Total Senior Credit Facility $ 1,030,253 $ 804,125 6.00% Senior Notes: Notes Due in 2026 350,000 350,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (5,447 ) (5,770 ) Total 6.00% Senior Notes Due in 2026 344,553 344,230 5.875% Senior Notes: Notes Due in 2024 250,000 250,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (3,485 ) (3,773 ) Total 5.875% Senior Notes Due in 2024 246,515 246,227 5.125% Senior Notes: Notes Due in 2023 300,000 300,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (4,339 ) (4,786 ) Total 5.125% Senior Notes Due in 2023 295,661 295,214 5.875% Senior Notes Notes Due in 2022 250,000 250,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (3,417 ) (3,923 ) Total 5.875% Senior Notes Due in 2022 246,583 246,077 Non-Recourse Debt 586,606 490,902 Unamortized debt issuance costs on non-recourse debt (12,689 ) (18,295 ) Unamortized discount on non-recourse debt (299 ) (400 ) Total Non-Recourse Debt 573,618 472,207 Capital Lease Obligations 7,757 8,693 Other debt 2,787 3,030 Total debt 2,747,727 2,419,803 Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt (260,046 ) (238,065 ) Capital Lease Obligations, long-term portion (6,412 ) (7,431 ) Non-Recourse Debt, long-term portion (323,387 ) (238,842 ) Long-Term Debt $ 2,157,882 $ 1,935,465 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement On March 23, 2017, the Company executed a third amended and restated credit agreement by and among The GEO Group, Inc. and GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc., ("Corrections" and, together with The GEO Group, Inc., the "Borrowers"), the Australian Borrowers named therein, BNP Paribas, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders who are, or may from time to time become, a party thereto (the "Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement refinances GEO's prior $291.0 million term loan, reestablishes GEO's ability to implement at a later date an Australian Dollar Letter of Credit Facility (the "Australian LC Facility") providing for the issuance of financial letters of credit and performance letters of credit, in each case denominated in Australian Dollars up to AUD 275 million , an increase from the prior AUD 225 million Australian Dollar letter of credit facility, and certain other modifications to the prior credit agreement. Loan costs of approximately $7.0 million were incurred and capitalized in connection with the transaction. The Credit Agreement evidences a credit facility (the "Credit Facility") consisting of an $800 million term loan (the "Term Loan") bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.25% (with a LIBOR floor of 0.75% ), and a $900 million revolving credit facility (the "Revolver") initially bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.25% (with no LIBOR floor) together with AUD 275 million available solely for the issuance of financial letters of credit and performance letters of credit, in each case denominated in Australian Dollars under the Australian LC Facility. As of September 30, 2017 , there were no letters of credit issued under the Australian LC Facility. Amounts to be borrowed by GEO under the Credit Agreement are subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions to borrowing. The Term Loan component is scheduled to mature on March 23, 2024. The revolving credit commitment component is scheduled to mature on May 19, 2021; provided, that if on October 3, 2019 both the maturity dates of all term loans and incremental term loans have not been extended to a date that is 5½ years after March 23, 2017 or a later date, and the senior secured leverage ratio exceeds 2.50 to 1.00, then the termination date will be October 3, 2019. The Credit Agreement also has an accordion feature of $450.0 million , subject to lender demand and prevailing market conditions and satisfying the relevant borrowing conditions. The Credit Agreement contains certain customary representations and warranties, and certain customary covenants that restrict GEO’s ability to, among other things (i) create, incur or assume any indebtedness, (ii) create, incur, assume or permit liens, (iii) make loans and investments, (iv) engage in mergers, acquisitions and asset sales, (v) make certain restricted payments, (vi) issue, sell or otherwise dispose of capital stock, (vii) engage in transactions with affiliates, (viii) allow the total leverage ratio to exceed 6.25 to 1.00 , allow the senior secured leverage ratio to exceed 3.50 to 1.00 , or allow the interest coverage ratio to be less than 3.00 to 1.00 , (ix) cancel, forgive, make any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment on, or redeem or acquire for value any senior notes, except as permitted, (x) alter the business GEO conducts, and (xi) materially impair GEO’s lenders’ security interests in the collateral for its loans. Events of default under the Credit Agreement include, but are not limited to, (i) GEO’s failure to pay principal or interest when due, (ii) GEO’s material breach of any representation or warranty, (iii) covenant defaults, (iv) liquidation, reorganization or other relief relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, (v) cross default under certain other material indebtedness, (vi) unsatisfied final judgments over a specified threshold, (vii) certain material environmental liability claims asserted against GEO, and (viii) a change in control. All of the obligations under the Credit Agreement are unconditionally guaranteed by certain domestic subsidiaries of GEO and the Credit Agreement and the related guarantees are secured by a perfected first-priority pledge of substantially all of GEO’s present and future tangible and intangible domestic assets and all present and future tangible and intangible domestic assets of each guarantor, including but not limited to a first-priority pledge of all of the outstanding capital stock owned by GEO and each guarantor in their domestic subsidiaries. The Australian Borrowers are wholly owned foreign subsidiaries of GEO. GEO has designated each of the Australian Borrowers as restricted subsidiaries under the Credit Agreement. However, the Australian Borrowers are not obligated to pay or perform any obligations under the Credit Agreement other than their own obligations as Australian Borrowers under the Credit Agreement. The Australian Borrowers do not pledge any of their assets to secure any obligations under the Credit Agreement. On August 18, 2016, the Company executed a Letter of Offer by and among GEO and HSBC Bank Australia Limited (the “Letter of Offer”) providing for a bank guarantee line and bank guarantee/standby sub-facility in an aggregate amount of AUD 100 million , or $78.3 million , based on exchange rates in effect as of September 30, 2017 (collectively, the “Bank Guarantee Facility”). The Bank Guarantee Facility allows GEO to provide letters of credit to assure performance of certain obligations of its wholly owned subsidiary relating to its prison project in Ravenhall, located near Melbourne, Australia. The Bank Guarantee Facility is unsecured. The issuance of letters of credit under the Bank Guarantee Facility is subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent specified in the Letter of Offer. Letters of credit issued under the bank guarantee lines are due on demand and letters of credit issued under the bank guarantee/standby sub-facility cannot have a duration exceeding twelve months. The Bank Guarantee Facility may be terminated by HSBC Bank Australia Limited on 90 days written notice. As of September 30, 2017 , there was AUD 100 million in letters of credit issued under the Bank Guarantee Facility. As of September 30, 2017 , the Company had approximately $796 million in aggregate borrowings outstanding under the Term Loan, approximately $246 million in borrowings under the Revolver, and approximately $65 million in letters of credit which left approximately $589 million in additional borrowing capacity under the Revolver. The weighted average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2017 was 3.5% . 6.00% Senior Notes due 2026 Interest on the 6.00% Senior Notes due 2026 accrues at the stated rate. The Company pays interest semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year. On or after April 15, 2019, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or part of the 6.00% Senior Notes due 2026 at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 6.00% Senior Notes due 2026. The indenture contains certain covenants, including limitations and restrictions on the Company and its subsidiary guarantors. Refer to Note 15-Condensed Consolidating Financial Information. 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024 Interest on the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024 accrues at the stated rate. The Company pays interest semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year. On or after October 15, 2019, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or part of the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024 at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024. The indenture contains certain covenants, including limitations and restrictions on the Company and its subsidiary guarantors. Refer to Note 15-Condensed Consolidating Financial Information. 5.125% Senior Notes due 2023 Interest on the 5.125% Senior Notes accrues at the stated rate. The Company pays interest semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year. On or after April 1, 2018, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or part of the 5.125% Senior Notes at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 5.125% Senior Notes. The indenture contains certain covenants, including limitations and restrictions on the Company and its subsidiary guarantors. Refer to Note 15-Condensed Consolidating Financial Information. 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022 Interest on the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022 accrues at the stated rate. The Company pays interest semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year. On or after January 15, 2017, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or part of the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022 at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022. The indenture contains certain covenants, including limitations and restrictions on the Company and its subsidiary guarantors. Refer to Note 15-Condensed Consolidating Financial Information. Non-Recourse Debt Northwest Detention Center The remaining balance of the original debt service requirement under the $54.4 million note payable ("2011 Revenue Bonds") to WEDFA will mature in October 2021 with fixed coupon rates of 5.25% , is $36.7 million , of which $6.7 million is classified as current in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017 . The payment of principal and interest on the 2011 Revenue Bonds issued by WEDFA is non-recourse to GEO. As of September 30, 2017 , included in current restricted cash and investments is $8.4 million of funds held in trust for debt service and other reserves with respect to the above mentioned note payable to WEDFA. Australia - Fulham At December 31, 2016, the non-recourse obligation of the Company totaled $2.6 million (AUD 3.6 million ), based on the exchange rates in effect at December 31, 2016 . The term of the non-recourse debt was through 2017 and it bore interest at a variable rate quoted by certain Australian banks plus 140 basis points . Any obligations or liabilities of the subsidiary were matched by a similar or corresponding commitment from the government of the State of Victoria. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the remaining balance was paid in full. Australia - Ravenhall In connection with a new design and build prison project agreement with the State, the Company entered into a syndicated facility agreement (the "Construction Facility") with National Australia Bank Limited to provide debt financing for construction of the project. The Construction Facility provides for non-recourse funding up to AUD 791.0 million , or approximately $619.7 million , based on exchange rates as of September 30, 2017 . Construction draws are funded throughout the project according to a fixed utilization schedule as defined in the syndicated facility agreement. The term of the Construction Facility is through October 2019 and bears interest at a variable rate quoted by certain Australian banks plus 200 basis points. The project is being developed under a public-private partnership financing structure with a capital contribution from the Company, which was made in January 2017, of approximately AUD 115 million , or $90.1 million , based on exchange rates as of September 30, 2017 . After October 2019, the Construction Facility will be converted to a term loan with payments due quarterly beginning in 2019 through 2041. In accordance with the terms of the Construction Facility, upon completion and commercial acceptance of the prison, in accordance with the prison contract, the State will make a lump sum payment of AUD 310 million , or approximately $243 million , based on exchange rates as of September 30, 2017 , towards a portion of the outstanding principal. The remaining outstanding principal balance will be repaid over the term of the operating agreement. As of September 30, 2017 , approximately $550 million was outstanding under the Construction Facility. The Company also entered into interest rate swap and interest rate cap agreements related to its non-recourse debt in connection with the project. Refer to Note 9 - Derivative Financial Instruments. Guarantees Australia The Company has entered into certain guarantees in connection with the financing and construction performance of a facility in Australia. The obligations amounted to approximately AUD 100.0 million , or $78.3 million , based on exchange rates as of September 30, 2017 . These guarantees are secured by outstanding letters of credit under the Company's Revolver as of September 30, 2017 . At September 30, 2017 , the Company also had ten other letters of credit outstanding under separate international facilities relating to performance guarantees of its Australian subsidiary totaling $15.9 million . South Africa In connection with the creation of South African Custodial Services Pty. Limited ("SACS"), the Company entered into certain guarantees related to the financing, construction and operation of the prison. As of September 30, 2017 , the Company guaranteed obligations amounting to 2.4 million South African Rand, or $0.2 million based on exchange rates as of September 30, 2017 . In the event SACS is unable to maintain the required funding in a rectification account maintained for the payment of certain costs in the event of contract termination, a previously existing guarantee by the Company for the shortfall will need to be re-instated. The remaining guarantee of 2.4 million South African Rand is secured by outstanding letters of credit under the Company's Revolver as of September 30, 2017 . In addition to the above, the Company has also agreed to provide a loan, if required, of up to 20 million South African Rand, or $1.5 million based on exchange rates as of September 30, 2017 , referred to as the Shareholder's Loan, to SACS for the purpose of financing SACS’ obligations under its contract with the South African government. No amounts have been funded under the standby facility, and the Company does not currently anticipate that such funding will be required by SACS in the future. The Company’s obligations under the Shareholder's Loan expire upon the earlier of full funding or SACS’s release from its obligations under its debt agreements. SACS' ability to draw on the Shareholder's Loan is limited to certain circumstances, including termination of the contract. The Company has also guaranteed certain obligations of SACS to the security trustee for SACS’ lenders. The Company secured its guarantee to the security trustee by ceding its rights to claims against SACS in respect of any loans or other finance agreements, and by pledging the Company’s shares in SACS. The Company’s liability under the guarantee is limited to the cession and pledge of shares. The guarantee expires upon expiration of the cession and pledge agreements. Canada In connection with a design, build, finance and maintenance contract for a facility in Canada, the Company as trustee guaranteed certain potential tax obligations of an unrelated trust that owns the faciltiy. The potential estimated exposure of these obligations was Canadian Dollar 1.4 million as of June 30, 2017. During the third quarter of 2017, the Company, with the assistance of Canadian tax counsel, completed an analysis and determined that any future tax exposure would be remote and therefore, the liability was derecognized as of September 30, 2017. The Company maintains the facility but does not currently operate or manage it. United Kingdom In connection with the creation of GEOAmey, the Company and its joint venture partner guarantee the availability of working capital in equal proportion to ensure that GEOAmey can comply with current and future contractual commitments related to the performance of its operations. The Company and the 50% joint venture partner have each extended a £12 million line of credit, or $16.1 million , based on exchange rates as of September 30, 2017 , of which £2.5 million , or $3.4 million , based on exchange rates as of September 30, 2017 , was outstanding as of September 30, 2017 to each joint venture partner. The Company's maximum exposure relative to the joint venture is its note receivable of approximately $3.4 million , which is included in Other Non-Current Assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and future financial support necessary to guarantee performance under the contract. Except as discussed above, the Company does not have any off balance sheet arrangements.

Commitments, Contingencies and

Commitments, Contingencies and Other	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER	COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER Litigation, Claims and Assessments On August 25, 2016, a purported shareholder class action lawsuit was filed against the Company, its Chief Executive Officer, George C. Zoley ("Mr. Zoley"), and its Chief Financial Officer, Brian R. Evans ("Mr. Evans"), in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint alleged that the Company and Messrs. Zoley and Evans made false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s business, operational and compliance policies. The lawsuit alleged that it was brought by John J. Mulvaney individually and on behalf of a class consisting of all persons other than the defendants who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities during the alleged class period between March 1, 2012 through and including August 17, 2016. The complaint alleged that the Company and Messrs. Zoley and Evans violated Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, and alleged that Messrs. Zoley and Evans violated Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. On December 21, 2016, the appointed lead plaintiffs filed an Amended Class Action Complaint, which reasserted the claims against the Company and Messrs. Zoley and Evans, and asserted new claims for alleged false and misleading statements in violation of Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against the Company's former Senior Vice President, GEO Detention & Corrections Services, John Hurley ("Mr. Hurley") and the Company's Senior Vice President and President, GEO Corrections & Detention, David Donahue ("Mr. Donahue"). The amended complaint sought damages, interest, attorneys' fees, expert fees, other costs, and such other relief as the court may deem proper. On February 23, 2017, the Court entered an order granting the Company's motion to dismiss the Amended Class Action Complaint. On March 17, 2017, the case was dismissed with prejudice and resulted in no liability to the Company. On February 8, 2017, the Attorney General of the State of Mississippi filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi against the Company, Cornell Companies, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, Christopher B. Epps, the former Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, and Cecil McCrory, a former consultant of the Company. The complaint alleges several statutory and common law claims, including violations of various public servant statutes, racketeering activity, antitrust law, civil conspiracy, unjust enrichment and fraud. The complaint seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, exemplary damages, forfeiture of all money received by the defendants, restitution, interest, attorneys' fees, other costs, and such other expenses or damages as the court may deem proper. The complaint claims that between 2007 and 2014, the Company and Cornell Companies, Inc. received approximately $256 million in proceeds from public contracts paid for by the State of Mississippi. The Company intends to take all necessary steps to vigorously defend itself and Cornell Companies, Inc. The Company has not recorded an accrual relating to this matter at this time, as a loss is not considered probable nor reasonably estimable at this preliminary stage of the lawsuit. On October 22, 2014, nine current and former civil immigration detainees who were detained at the Aurora Immigration Detention Center filed a purported class action lawsuit against the Company in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado (the “Court”). The complaint alleged that the Company was in violation of the Colorado Minimum Wages of Workers Act and the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, and claimed that the Company was unjustly enriched as a result of the level of payment that the detainees received for work performed at the facility, even though the voluntary work program as well as the wage rates and standards associated with the program that are at issue in this case are authorized by the Federal government under guidelines approved by the United States Congress. On July 6, 2015, the Court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss the claim against the Company under the Colorado Minimum Wages of Workers Act but otherwise denied the Company’s motion to dismiss. On February 27, 2017, the Court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. The Court ordered the parties to file a revised Proposed Stipulated Scheduling and Discovery Order by March 27, 2017 to proceed with the case. On March 13, 2017, GEO filed for permission to appeal this class certification order directly to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeal. On April 11, 2017, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeal granted GEO's petition to hear the case. As a result, GEO has filed a motion to stay the proceedings in the trial court. Fact discovery in the case has not yet begun. The plaintiffs seek actual damages, compensatory damages, exemplary damages, punitive damages, restitution, attorneys’ fees and costs, and such other relief as the Court may deem proper. The Company intends to take all necessary steps to vigorously defend itself and has consistently refuted the allegations and claims in the lawsuit. The Company has not recorded an accrual relating to this matter at this time, as a loss is not considered probable nor reasonably estimable at this stage of the lawsuit. If the Company had to change the level of compensation under the voluntary work program, or to substitute employee work for voluntary work, this could increase costs of operating these facilities. The nature of the Company's business exposes it to various types of third-party legal claims or litigation against the Company, including, but not limited to, civil rights claims relating to conditions of confinement and/or mistreatment, sexual misconduct claims brought by prisoners or detainees, medical malpractice claims, product liability claims, intellectual property infringement claims, claims relating to employment matters (including, but not limited to, employment discrimination claims, union grievances and wage and hour claims), property loss claims, environmental claims, automobile liability claims, indemnification claims by its customers and other third parties, contractual claims and claims for personal injury or other damages resulting from contact with the Company's facilities, programs, electronic monitoring products, personnel or prisoners, including damages arising from a prisoner's escape or from a disturbance or riot at a facility. The Company does not expect the outcome of any pending claims or legal proceedings to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Other Assessment A state non-income tax audit completed in 2016 included tax periods for which the state tax authority had a number of years ago processed a substantial tax refund. At the completion of the audit fieldwork, the Company received a notice of audit findings disallowing deductions that were previously claimed by the Company, approved by the state tax authority and served as the basis for the approved refund claim. In early January 2017, the Company received a formal Notice of Assessment of Taxes and Demand for Payment from the taxing authority disallowing the deductions. The total tax, penalty and interest assessed is approximately $19.6 million . The Company has filed an administrative protest and disagrees with the assessment and intends to take all necessary steps to vigorously defend its position. The Company has established a reserve based on its estimate of the most probable loss based on the facts and circumstances known to date and the advice of outside counsel in connection with this matter. Commitments The Company currently has contractual commitments for a number of projects using Company financing. The Company’s management estimates that the cost of these existing capital projects will be approximately $243.9 million of which $82.6 million was spent through the first nine months of 2017. The Company estimates the remaining capital requirements related to these capital projects will be $161.3 million which will be spent through 2018. Idle Facilities As of September 30, 2017 , the Company is marketing approximately 5,400 vacant beds at five of its idle facilities to potential customers. The carrying values of these idle facilities, which are included in Property and Equipment, Net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, totaled $137.3 million as of September 30, 2017 , excluding equipment and other assets that can be easily transferred for use at other facilities. There was no indication of impairment related to the Company's idle facilities at September 30, 2017 .

Business Segments and Geographi

Business Segments and Geographic Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segments and Geographic Information	BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION Operating and Reporting Segments The Company conducts its business through four reportable business segments: the U.S. Corrections & Detention segment; the GEO Care segment; the International Services segment; and the Facility Construction & Design segment. The Company's segment revenues from external customers and a measure of segment profit are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 Revenues: U.S. Corrections & Detention $ 365,071 $ 344,452 $ 1,073,840 $ 1,024,395 GEO Care 134,610 99,779 377,740 289,722 International Services 45,641 40,416 130,261 116,468 Facility Construction & Design (1) 21,437 69,729 112,602 182,326 Total revenues $ 566,759 $ 554,376 $ 1,694,443 $ 1,612,911 Operating income (loss) from segments: U.S. Corrections & Detention $ 77,551 $ 77,865 $ 224,838 $ 220,292 GEO Care 31,293 30,007 94,062 80,558 International Services 3,410 1,866 8,413 4,702 Facility Construction & Design (1) (278 ) 196 (1,620 ) 471 Operating income from segments $ 111,976 $ 109,934 $ 325,693 $ 306,023 (1) In September 2014, the Company began the design and construction of a new prison contract located in Ravenhall, a locality near Melbourne, Australia. During the design and construction phase, the Company recognizes revenue as earned on a percentage of completion basis measured by the percentage of costs incurred to date as compared to estimated total costs for the design and construction of the facility. Costs incurred and estimated earnings in excess of billings is classified as Contract Receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and is recorded at the net present value based on the timing of expected future settlement. A portion of the Contract Receivable will be paid by the State upon commercial acceptance of the prison and the remainder will be paid quarterly over the life of the contract. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the Company became aware of certain claims by its construction subcontractor for unanticipated additional costs which are in excess of the agreed contract price. The Company has agreed in principle with the subcontractor to pay approximately $1.9 million related to these overruns and has recorded a provision for loss related to these claims during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 . Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s total operating income from its reportable segments to the Company’s income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 Total operating income from segments $ 111,976 $ 109,934 $ 325,693 $ 306,023 Unallocated amounts: General and Administrative Expenses (49,074 ) (37,483 ) (143,866 ) (108,448 ) Net Interest Expense (24,071 ) (25,500 ) (70,731 ) (75,477 ) Loss on Extinguishment of Debt — — — (15,885 ) Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates $ 38,831 $ 46,951 $ 111,096 $ 106,213 Equity in Earnings of Affiliates Equity in earnings of affiliates includes the Company’s 50% owned joint ventures in SACS, located in South Africa, and GEOAmey, located in the United Kingdom. The Company's investments in these entities are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company’s investments in these entities are presented as a component of Other Non-Current Assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company has recorded $1.1 million and $3.4 million in earnings, net of tax, for SACS operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , and $1.1 million and $2.9 million in earnings, net of tax, for SACS operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively, which are included in equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the Company’s investment in SACS was $10.4 million and $11.8 million , respectively. The Company has recorded $0.2 million and $0.8 million in earnings, net of tax, for GEO Amey's operation during the the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , and $0.7 million and $2.1 million in earnings, net of tax, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the Company’s investment in GEOAmey was $2.3 million and $1.3 million , respectively, and represents its share of cumulative reported earnings.

Benefit Plans

Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Benefit Plans	BENEFIT PLANS The following table summarizes key information related to the Company’s pension plans and retirement agreements (in thousands): Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Year Ended December 31, 2016 Change in Projected Benefit Obligation Projected benefit obligation, beginning of period $ 28,624 $ 25,935 Service cost 751 995 Interest cost 921 1,155 Actuarial loss — 1,031 Benefits paid (426 ) (492 ) Projected benefit obligation, end of period $ 29,870 $ 28,624 Change in Plan Assets Plan assets at fair value, beginning of period $ — $ — Company contributions 426 492 Benefits paid (426 ) (492 ) Plan assets at fair value, end of period $ — $ — Unfunded Status of the Plan $ (29,870 ) $ (28,624 ) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Service cost $ 250 $ 249 $ 751 746 Interest cost 307 289 $ 921 $ 866 Net loss 73 53 218 160 Net periodic pension cost $ 630 $ 591 $ 1,890 $ 1,772 The long-term portion of the pension liability as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was $29.6 million and $28.3 million , respectively, and is included in Other Non-Current Liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS The Company implemented the following accounting standards during the nine months ended September 30, 2017: In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) , " as a part of its simplification initiative. The Company adopted this ASU during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Key areas of the amendments in this standard are (i) all excess tax benefits (deficiencies) from stock plan transactions should be recognized in the income statement as opposed to being recognized in additional paid-in capital; (ii) the tax withholding threshold for triggering liability accounting on a net settlement transaction has been increased from the minimum statutory rate to the maximum statutory rate; and (iii) an entity can make an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest or account for forfeitures as they occur. The guidance also provides clarification of the presentation of certain components of share-based awards in the statement of cash flows. The Company has elected to continue estimating forfeitures expected to occur in order to determine the amount of compensation cost to be recognized each period and to apply the cash flow classification guidance prospectively. As a result, excess tax benefits are now classified as an operating activity rather than a financing activity and the Company has recorded $1.5 million of excess tax benefits from stock plan transactions as a component of income tax expense in the consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 . The Company has excluded the excess tax benefits from the assumed proceeds available to repurchase shares in the computation of its diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 . In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-05, " Derivatives and Hedging, " which clarifies that a change in the counter party to a derivative instrument that has been designated as a hedging instrument does not, in and of itself, require dedesignation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. The Company adopted this ASU during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and elected to apply the amendments in this standard on a prospective basis. The implementation of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, " Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures ," as a part of its simplification initiative. The amendments in this standard eliminate the requirement that when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence, an investor must adjust the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings retroactively on a step-by step basis as if the equity method had been in effect during all previous periods that the investment had been held. The amendments require that the equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor's previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. Therefore, upon qualifying for the equity method of accounting, no retroactive adjustment of the investment is required. The amendments in ASU 2016-07 also require that an entity that has an available-for-sale equity security that becomes qualified for the equity method of accounting recognize through earnings the unrealized holding gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income at the date the investment becomes qualified for use of the equity method. The Company adopted this ASU during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and elected to apply the amendments in this standard on a prospective basis. The implementation of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-17, " Consolidation - Interest Held through Related Parties that are Under Common Control ," which amends the current consolidation guidance on how a reporting entity that is the single decision maker of a variable interest entity ("VIE") should treat indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of that VIE. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the reporting entity that has a controlling financial interest in a VIE, and therefore consolidates the VIE. A reporting entity has an indirect interest in a VIE if it has a direct interest in a related party that, in turn, has a direct interest in the VIE. The Company adopted this ASU during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The implementation of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The following accounting standards will be adopted in future periods: I n August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-11 " Derivatives and Hedging - Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities ". The objective of this guidance is to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity's risk management activities in its financial statements. Certain of the amendments in this update as they relate to cash flow hedges, eliminate the requirement to separately record hedge ineffectiveness currently in earnings. Instead, the entire change in the fair value of the hedging instrument is recorded in other comprehensive income. Those amounts are reclassified to earnings in the same income statement line item that is used to present the earnings effect of the hedged item when the hedged item affects earnings. The new standard is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2019. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. I n May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-10 " Service Concession Arrangements - Determining the Customer of the Operation Services ". The objective of this guidance is to reduce diversity in practice and provide clarification on how an operating entity determines the customer of the operation services for transactions within the scope of Topic 853, Service Concessions Arrangements. The amendments in this update clarify that the grantor is the customer of the operation services in all cases for such arrangements. The new standard is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. I n May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09 " Compensation - Stock Compensation ". The objective of this guidance is to provide clarity and reduce both (1) diversity in practice and (2) cost and complexity when applying modification accounting for changes in the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards. An entity should account for the effects of a modification unless all of the following factors are met: (i) the fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the award is modified; (ii) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; and (iii) the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The new standard will be effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted for public companies for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The amendments in this update should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. I n March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07 " Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715)-Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost ". This guidance revises how employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans present the net periodic benefit cost in their income statement and requires that the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost be presented in the same income statement line items as other employee compensation costs from services rendered during the period. Of the components of net periodic benefit cost, only the service cost component will be eligible for asset capitalization. The other components of the net periodic benefit cost must be presented separately from the line items that include the service cost and outside of any subtotal of operating income on the income statement. The new standard will be effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 on a retroactive basis. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, " Income Taxes - Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory ," as a part of its simplification initiative. The amendments in this standard require entities to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. Under prior generally accepted accounting principles, the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer was prohibited until the asset has been sold to an outside party. The new standard will be effective for public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods with early adoption permitted under certain circumstances. The amendments in this update should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the adoption period. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, " Leases ," which requires entities to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and to disclose key information about leasing arrangements. For finance leases and operating leases, a lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term with each initially measured at the present value of the lease payments. The amendments in ASU 2016-02 are effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The Company has implemented a lease management software application tool and is currently assessing the impact that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial position or results of operations, but expects that it will result in a significant increase in its long-term assets and liabilities given the significant number of leases the Company is a party to. In May 2014, the FASB issued a new standard related to revenue recognition (ASU 2014-09, " Revenue from Contracts with Customers" .) Under the new standard, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services and is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The FASB has recently issued several amendments to the standard, including clarification on accounting for licenses of intellectual property and identifying performance obligations. The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (the modified retrospective transition method). The new standard is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2018. The Company is currently in the final stages of evaluating whether these standards would have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, upon its preliminary assessment, the Company believes that the timing of revenue recognition could potentially be affected as it relates to certain variable consideration arrangements with certain of its customers and also certain identified performance obligations related to construction activities. Additionally, certain reclassifications may be necessary with respect to payments made to certain of its customers. However, at this time, the Company does not believe that any such potential adjustments or however, that election, as well as its analysis of any impacts related to variable consideration arrangements, construction performance obligations and payments made to customers, may change once the Company's final assessment is completed during the fourth quarter of 2017. The Company has determined that it will use the modified retrospective transition method to implement this standard.

Condensed Consolidating Financi

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION As of September 30, 2017 , the Company's 6.00% Senior Notes, 5.125% Senior Notes, the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022 and the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024 were fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior unsecured basis by the Company and certain of its wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). The following condensed consolidating financial information, which has been prepared in accordance with the requirements for presentation of Rule 3-10(d) of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act, presents the condensed consolidating financial information separately for: (i) The GEO Group, Inc., as the issuer of the notes; (ii) The Subsidiary Guarantors, on a combined basis, which are 100% owned by The GEO Group, Inc., and which are guarantors of the notes; (iii) The Company’s other subsidiaries, on a combined basis, which are not guarantors of the notes (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”); (iv) Consolidating entries and eliminations representing adjustments to (a) eliminate intercompany transactions between or among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Subsidiary Non-Guarantors and (b) eliminate the investments in the Company’s subsidiaries; and (v) The Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (dollars in thousands) (unaudited) For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues $ 171,553 $ 464,140 $ 69,698 $ (138,632 ) $ 566,759 Operating expenses 139,165 364,834 57,767 (138,632 ) 423,134 Depreciation and amortization 6,104 24,623 922 — 31,649 General and administrative expenses 14,699 28,066 6,309 — 49,074 Operating income 11,585 46,617 4,700 — 62,902 Interest income 2,688 1,629 14,871 (4,540 ) 14,648 Interest expense (18,148 ) (13,093 ) (12,018 ) 4,540 (38,719 ) Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (3,875 ) 35,153 7,553 — 38,831 Income tax provision 147 811 762 — 1,720 Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision — — 1,342 — 1,342 Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries (4,022 ) 34,342 8,133 — 38,453 Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision 42,475 — — (42,475 ) — Net income 38,453 34,342 8,133 (42,475 ) 38,453 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 36 — 36 Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 38,453 $ 34,342 $ 8,169 $ (42,475 ) $ 38,489 Net income $ 38,453 $ 34,342 $ 8,133 $ (42,475 ) $ 38,453 Other comprehensive income, net of tax — 64 1,561 — 1,625 Total comprehensive income $ 38,453 $ 34,406 $ 9,694 $ (42,475 ) $ 40,078 Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 34 — 34 Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 38,453 $ 34,406 $ 9,728 $ (42,475 ) $ 40,112 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (dollars in thousands) (unaudited) For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues $ 173,920 $ 410,329 $ 112,708 $ (142,581 ) $ 554,376 Operating expenses 144,748 314,009 99,483 (142,581 ) 415,659 Depreciation and amortization 6,339 21,502 942 — 28,783 General and administrative expenses 11,727 18,180 7,576 — 37,483 Operating income 11,106 56,638 4,707 — 72,451 Interest income 4,765 422 8,029 (5,288 ) 7,928 Interest expense (16,324 ) (13,525 ) (8,867 ) 5,288 (33,428 ) Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (453 ) 43,535 3,869 — 46,951 Income tax provision (benefit) (9 ) 4,032 947 — 4,970 Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision — — 1,693 — 1,693 Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries (444 ) 39,503 4,615 — 43,674 Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision 44,118 — — (44,118 ) — Net income 43,674 39,503 4,615 (44,118 ) 43,674 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 46 — 46 Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 43,674 $ 39,503 $ 4,661 $ (44,118 ) $ 43,720 Net income $ 43,674 $ 39,503 $ 4,615 $ (44,118 ) $ 43,674 Other comprehensive income, net of tax — 33 450 — 483 Total comprehensive income $ 43,674 $ 39,536 $ 5,065 $ (44,118 ) $ 44,157 Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 36 — 36 Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 43,674 $ 39,536 $ 5,101 $ (44,118 ) $ 44,193 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Combined Eliminations Consolidated Revenues $ 520,986 $ 1,342,620 $ 250,618 $ (419,781 ) $ 1,694,443 Operating expenses 406,576 1,076,232 213,259 (419,781 ) 1,276,286 Depreciation and amortization 18,319 71,404 2,741 — 92,464 General and administrative expenses 43,939 78,479 21,448 — 143,866 Operating income 52,152 116,505 13,170 — 181,827 Interest income 12,793 2,858 39,175 (15,855 ) 38,971 Interest expense (51,391 ) (41,353 ) (32,813 ) 15,855 (109,702 ) Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates 13,554 78,010 19,532 — 111,096 Income tax provision 441 3,058 2,091 — 5,590 Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision — — 4,255 — 4,255 Income before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries 13,113 74,952 21,696 — 109,761 Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision 96,648 — — (96,648 ) — Net income 109,761 74,952 21,696 (96,648 ) 109,761 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 123 — 123 Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 109,761 $ 74,952 $ 21,819 $ (96,648 ) $ 109,884 Net income $ 109,761 $ 74,952 $ 21,696 $ (96,648 ) $ 109,761 Other comprehensive income, net of tax — 175 4,586 — 4,761 Total comprehensive income $ 109,761 $ 75,127 $ 26,282 $ (96,648 ) $ 114,522 Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 119 — 119 Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 109,761 $ 75,127 $ 26,401 $ (96,648 ) $ 114,641 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Combined Eliminations Consolidated Revenues $ 515,971 $ 1,215,469 $ 306,484 $ (425,013 ) $ 1,612,911 Operating expenses 418,261 957,704 270,050 (425,013 ) 1,221,002 Depreciation and amortization 18,866 64,159 2,861 — 85,886 General and administrative expenses 34,548 53,396 20,504 — 108,448 Operating income 44,296 140,210 13,069 — 197,575 Interest income 15,646 1,440 18,699 (17,398 ) 18,387 Interest expense (49,031 ) (41,401 ) (20,830 ) 17,398 (93,864 ) Loss on early extinguishment of debt (15,885 ) — — — (15,885 ) Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (4,974 ) 100,249 10,938 — 106,213 Income tax provision (benefit) (101 ) 9,323 2,778 — 12,000 Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision — — 4,943 — 4,943 Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries (4,873 ) 90,926 13,103 — 99,156 Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision 104,029 — — (104,029 ) — Net income 99,156 90,926 13,103 (104,029 ) 99,156 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 123 — 123 Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 99,156 $ 90,926 $ 13,226 $ (104,029 ) $ 99,279 Net income $ 99,156 $ 90,926 $ 13,103 $ (104,029 ) $ 99,156 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax — 98 (3,081 ) — (2,983 ) Total comprehensive income 99,156 91,024 10,022 (104,029 ) 96,173 Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 104 — 104 Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 99,156 $ 91,024 $ 10,126 $ (104,029 ) $ 96,277 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET (dollars in thousands) (unaudited) As of September 30, 2017 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,191 $ 13,853 $ 31,482 $ — $ 51,526 Restricted cash and investments — — 12,452 — 12,452 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 129,730 241,031 16,137 — 386,898 Contract receivable, current portion — — 243,531 — 243,531 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,921 28,033 5,119 — 36,073 Total current assets 138,842 282,917 308,721 — 730,480 Restricted Cash and Investments — 24,387 6,645 — 31,032 Property and Equipment, Net 751,374 1,213,614 90,994 — 2,055,982 Non-Current Contract Receivable — — 405,780 — 405,780 Intercompany Receivable 1,128,469 104,226 24,654 (1,257,349 ) — Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets 763 19,254 11,814 — 31,831 Goodwill 79 781,444 449 — 781,972 Intangible Assets, Net — 261,053 737 — 261,790 Investment in Subsidiaries 1,332,393 456,075 2,191 (1,790,659 ) — Other Non-Current Assets 12,714 118,579 18,708 (79,527 ) 70,474 Total Assets $ 3,364,634 $ 3,261,549 $ 870,693 $ (3,127,535 ) $ 4,369,341 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Accounts payable $ 8,573 $ 66,848 $ 16,196 $ — $ 91,617 Accrued payroll and related taxes — 30,190 18,590 — 48,780 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 48,090 106,056 20,175 — 174,321 Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt 8,000 1,815 250,231 — 260,046 Total current liabilities 64,663 204,909 305,192 — 574,764 Intercompany Payable 14,535 1,211,260 31,554 (1,257,349 ) — Other Non-Current Liabilities 4,120 151,405 16,806 (79,527 ) 92,804 Capital Lease Obligations — 6,412 — — 6,412 Long-Term Debt 2,067,008 — 90,874 — 2,157,882 Non-Recourse Debt — — 323,387 — 323,387 Commitments & Contingencies and Other Shareholders' Equity: The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity 1,214,308 1,687,563 103,098 (1,790,659 ) 1,214,310 Noncontrolling Interests — — (218 ) — (218 ) Total Shareholders’ Equity 1,214,308 1,687,563 102,880 (1,790,659 ) 1,214,092 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 3,364,634 $ 3,261,549 $ 870,693 $ (3,127,535 ) $ 4,369,341 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET (dollars in thousands) As of December 31, 2016 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 45,566 $ 842 $ 21,630 $ — $ 68,038 Restricted cash and investments — — 17,133 — 17,133 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 139,571 200,239 16,445 — 356,255 Contract receivable, current portion — — 224,033 — 224,033 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 677 24,096 7,437 — 32,210 Total current assets 185,814 225,177 286,678 — 697,669 Restricted Cash and Investments 170 19,742 936 — 20,848 Property and Equipment, Net 735,104 1,078,220 83,917 — 1,897,241 Non-Current Contract Receivable — — 219,783 219,783 Intercompany Receivable 918,527 141,987 27,290 (1,087,804 ) — Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets 764 17,918 11,357 — 30,039 Goodwill 79 614,941 413 — 615,433 Intangible Assets, Net — 203,138 746 — 203,884 Investment in Subsidiaries 1,238,772 453,635 2,190 (1,694,597 ) — Other Non-Current Assets 15,011 108,434 20,933 (79,866 ) 64,512 Total Assets $ 3,094,241 $ 2,863,192 $ 654,243 $ (2,862,267 ) $ 3,749,409 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Accounts payable $ 8,402 $ 50,200 $ 21,035 $ — $ 79,637 Accrued payroll and related taxes — 41,230 14,030 — 55,260 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 36,792 83,906 10,398 — 131,096 Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt 3,000 1,700 233,365 — 238,065 Total current liabilities 48,194 177,036 278,828 — 504,058 Intercompany Payable 133,039 920,825 33,940 (1,087,804 ) — Other Non-Current Liabilities 2,487 144,383 21,652 (79,866 ) 88,656 Capital Lease Obligations — 7,431 — — 7,431 Long-Term Debt 1,935,465 — — — 1,935,465 Non-Recourse Debt — — 238,842 — 238,842 Commitments & Contingencies and Other Shareholders' Equity: The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity 975,056 1,613,517 81,080 (1,694,597 ) 975,056 Noncontrolling Interests — — (99 ) — (99 ) Total Shareholders’ Equity 975,056 1,613,517 80,981 (1,694,597 ) 974,957 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 3,094,241 $ 2,863,192 $ 654,243 $ (2,862,267 ) $ 3,749,409 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (dollars in thousands) (unaudited) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Consolidated Cash Flow from Operating Activities: Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 15,473 $ 79,088 $ (36,733 ) $ 57,828 Cash Flow from Investing Activities: Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired (353,555 ) — — (353,555 ) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 845 — 11 856 Insurance proceeds - damaged property 86 — — 86 Change in restricted cash and investments — (4,645 ) (175 ) (4,820 ) Capital expenditures (34,679 ) (61,432 ) (8,019 ) (104,130 ) Net cash used in investing activities (387,303 ) (66,077 ) (8,183 ) (461,563 ) Cash Flow from Financing Activities: Proceeds from long-term debt 1,324,865 — — 1,324,865 Payments on long-term debt (1,093,088 ) — — (1,093,088 ) Payments on non-recourse debt — — (68,887 ) (68,887 ) Proceeds from non-recourse debt — — 123,785 123,785 Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards (4,122 ) — — (4,122 ) Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP — — 382 382 Proceeds from issuance of common stock under prospectus supplement 275,867 — 275,867 Debt issuance costs (8,701 ) — (769 ) (9,470 ) Proceeds from stock options exercised 6,786 — — 6,786 Dividends paid (169,152 ) — (169,152 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 332,455 — 54,511 386,966 Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents — — 257 257 Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents (39,375 ) 13,011 9,852 (16,512 ) Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period 45,566 842 21,630 68,038 Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period $ 6,191 $ 13,853 $ 31,482 $ 51,526 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (dollars in thousands) (unaudited) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Consolidated Cash Flow from Operating Activities: Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ 99,124 $ 57,187 $ (168,069 ) $ (11,758 ) Cash Flow from Investing Activities: Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 68 — — 68 Insurance proceeds - damaged property 4,733 — — 4,733 Change in restricted cash and investments (24 ) (2,635 ) (95,057 ) (97,716 ) Capital expenditures (9,879 ) (54,552 ) (3,584 ) (68,015 ) Net cash used in investing activities (5,102 ) (57,187 ) (98,641 ) (160,930 ) Cash Flow from Financing Activities: Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards (2,336 ) — — (2,336 ) Proceeds from long-term debt 813,077 — — 813,077 Payments on long-term debt (775,256 ) — (775,256 ) Payments on non-recourse debt — — (1,878 ) (1,878 ) Proceeds from non-recourse debt — — 273,087 273,087 Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP — 338 338 Debt issuance costs (16,980 ) — (3,510 ) (20,490 ) Tax deficiency related to equity compensation (844 ) — — (844 ) Proceeds from stock options exercised 2,367 — — 2,367 Dividends paid (145,991 ) — — (145,991 ) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (125,963 ) — 268,037 142,074 Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents — — 1,099 1,099 Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents (31,941 ) — 2,426 (29,515 ) Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period 37,077 — 22,561 59,638 Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period $ 5,136 $ — $ 24,987 $ 30,123

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Dividend On October 12, 2017, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.47 per share of common stock which was paid on October 30, 2017 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on October 23, 2017. Automatic Shelf Registration on Form S-3 On October 20, 2017, the Company filed an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The shelf registration statement is automatically effective and is valid for three years. Pursuant to the shelf registration statement, the Company may offer common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, guarantees of debt securities, warrants and units from time to time in amounts, at prices and on terms that will be determined at the time of any such offering. Asset Sale On November 1, 2017, the Company signed and closed on an Asset Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") with an unrelated entity for the sale of substantially all of the assets of one of the acquired CEC entities for approximately $5 million . The operations of this entity were not significant to the Company.

Business Combinations (Tables)

Business Combinations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The adjusted purchase price of $353.6 million has been preliminarily allocated to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of April 5, 2017 as follows (in '000's): Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation Accounts Receivable $ 29,916 Prepaid and other current assets 4,407 Property and equipment 126,510 Intangible assets 76,000 Favorable lease assets 3,110 Deferred income tax assets 1,792 Other non-current assets 4,327 Total assets acquired $ 246,062 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 52,341 Unfavorable lease liabilities 1,299 Other non-current liabilities 5,360 Total liabilities assumed $ 59,000 Total identifiable net assets 187,062 Goodwill 166,493 Total consideration paid, net of cash acquired $ 353,555
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination	Identifiable intangible assets purchased in the acquisition and their weighted average amortization periods in total and by major intangible asset class, as applicable, are included in the table below: Weighted Average Useful Life (years) Fair Value as of April 5, 2017 Facility management contracts 18.3 $ 75,300 Covenants not to compete 1 700 Total acquired intangible assets $ 76,000
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	The pro forma amounts are included for comparative purposes and may not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have resulted had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the applicable period and may not be indicative of the results that will be attained in the future (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 Pro forma revenues $ 566,759 $ 621,565 $ 1,756,320 $ 1,805,064 Pro forma net income attributable to the GEO Group, Inc. $ 42,033 $ 44,525 $ 122,832 $ 100,372

Goodwill and Other Intangible26

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of goodwill	Changes in the Company's goodwill balances from December 31, 2016 to September 30, 2017 are as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2016 Acquisitions Foreign Currency Translation September 30, 2017 U.S. Corrections & Detention $ 277,774 $ 41,604 $ — $ 319,378 GEO Care 337,257 124,889 — 462,146 International Services 402 — 46 448 Total Goodwill $ 615,433 166,493 $ 46 $ 781,972
Schedule of intangible assets	The Company's intangible assets include facility management contracts, covenants not to compete, trade names and technology, as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Weighted Average Useful Life (years) Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Facility management contracts 16.3 $ 308,446 $ (101,537 ) $ 206,909 $ 233,136 $ (87,256 ) $ 145,880 Covenants not to compete 1 700 (342 ) 358 — — — Technology 7.3 33,700 (24,377 ) 9,323 33,700 (20,896 ) 12,804 Trade name (Indefinite lived) Indefinite 45,200 — 45,200 45,200 — 45,200 Total acquired intangible assets $ 388,046 $ (126,256 ) $ 261,790 $ 312,036 $ (108,152 ) $ 203,884
Estimated amortization expense for the remainder	Estimated amortization expense related to the Company's finite-lived intangible assets for the remainder of 2017 through 2021 and thereafter is as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Total Amortization Expense Remainder of 2017 $ 6,525 2018 22,821 2019 22,310 2020 22,310 2021 20,090 Thereafter 122,534 $ 216,590

Financial Instruments (Tables)

Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis	The following tables provide a summary of the Company’s significant financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2017 Carrying Value at September 30, 2017 Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) Significant Other Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Assets: Restricted investment: Rabbi Trust $ 19,472 $ — $ 19,472 $ — Fixed income securities 1,917 — 1,917 — Liabilities: Interest rate swap derivatives $ 15,673 $ — $ 15,673 $ — Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016 Carrying Value at December 31, 2016 Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Assets: Restricted investments: Rabbi Trust $ 15,662 $ — $ 15,662 $ — Fixed income securities 1,782 — 1,782 — Interest rate cap derivatives 15 — 15 — Liabilities: Interest rate swap derivatives $ 18,679 $ — $ 18,679 $ —

Fair Value of Assets and Liab28

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Carrying value and estimated fair value of financial instruments	The following tables present the carrying values of those financial instruments and the estimated corresponding fair values at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): Estimated Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2017 Carrying Value as of September 30, 2017 Total Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 51,526 $ 51,526 $ 51,526 $ — $ — Restricted cash and investments 24,012 24,012 20,592 3,420 — Liabilities: Borrowings under senior credit facility $ 1,041,874 $ 1,047,844 $ — $ 1,047,844 $ — 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024 250,000 260,943 — 260,943 — 5.125% Senior Notes 300,000 305,418 — 305,418 — 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022 250,000 260,985 — 260,985 — 6.00% Senior Notes 350,000 368,571 — 368,571 — Non-recourse debt, Australian subsidiary 549,926 549,926 — 549,926 — Other non-recourse debt, including current portion 36,381 37,465 — 37,465 — Estimated Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016 Carrying Value as of December 31, 2016 Total Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 68,038 $ 68,038 $ 68,038 $ — $ — Restricted cash and investments 22,319 22,319 19,614 2,705 — Liabilities: Borrowings under senior credit facility $ 804,500 $ 795,008 $ — $ 795,008 $ — 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024 250,000 247,813 — 247,813 — 5.125% Senior Notes 300,000 292,125 — 292,125 — 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022 250,000 254,688 — 254,688 — 6.00% Senior Notes 350,000 346,938 — 346,938 — Non-recourse debt, Australian subsidiary 454,222 454,185 — 454,185 — Other non-recourse debt, including current portion 36,280 37,550 — 37,550 —

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to noncontrolling interests	The following table presents the changes in shareholders’ equity that are attributable to the Company’s shareholders and to noncontrolling interests (in thousands): Common shares Additional Paid-In Earnings in Excess of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Noncontrolling Total Shareholders' Shares Amount Capital Distributions Loss Interests Equity Balance, January 1, 2017 112,548 $ 1,125 $ 891,993 $ 112,763 $ (30,825 ) $ (99 ) $ 974,957 Proceeds from exercise of stock options 348 3 6,783 — — — 6,786 Stock-based compensation expense — — 14,852 — — — 14,852 Restricted stock granted 927 9 (9 ) — — — — Restricted stock canceled (60 ) — — — — — — Dividends paid — — — (169,152 ) — — (169,152 ) Issuance of common stock - prospectus supplement 10,350 104 275,763 — — — 275,867 Shares withheld for net settlements of share-based awards (135 ) (1 ) (4,121 ) — — — (4,122 ) Issuance of common stock - ESPP 13 — 382 — — — 382 Net income (loss) — — — 109,884 — (123 ) 109,761 Other comprehensive income — — — — 4,757 4 4,761 Balance, September 30, 2017 123,991 $ 1,240 $ 1,185,643 $ 53,495 $ (26,068 ) $ (218 ) $ 1,214,092
Dividends declared	During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2016 , respectively, GEO declared and paid the following regular cash distributions to its shareholders as follows: Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Distribution Per Share Aggregate Payment Amount (in millions) February 3, 2016 February 16, 2016 February 26, 2016 $0.43 $48.5 April 20, 2016 May 2, 2016 May 12, 2016 $0.43 $48.7 July 20, 2016 August 1, 2016 August 12, 2016 $0.43 $48.7 October 18, 2016 October 31, 2016 November 10, 2016 $0.43 $48.8 February 6, 2017 February 17, 2017 February 27, 2017 $0.47 $52.5 April 25, 2017 May 9, 2017 May 19, 2017 $0.47 $58.4 July 10, 2017 July 21, 2017 July 28, 2017 $0.47 $58.3
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to GEO within shareholders' equity are as follows: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (In thousands) Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. (1) Unrealized (loss)/gain on derivatives, net of tax Pension adjustments, net of tax Total Balance, January 1, 2017 $ (11,284 ) $ (15,877 ) $ (3,664 ) $ (30,825 ) Current-period other comprehensive income 2,026 2,556 175 4,757 Balance, September 30, 2017 $ (9,258 ) $ (13,321 ) $ (3,489 ) $ (26,068 ) (1) The foreign currency translation related to noncontrolling interests was not significant at September 30, 2017 or December 31, 2016 .

Equity Incentive Plans (Tables)

Equity Incentive Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of the activity of stock option awards	A summary of the activity of stock option awards issued and outstanding under Company plans is as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 : Shares Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price Wtd. Avg. Remaining Contractual Term (years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) (in thousands) Options outstanding at January 1, 2017 1,211 $ 20.65 7.14 $ 5,466 Options granted 462 32.30 Options exercised (348 ) 19.22 Options forfeited/canceled/expired (59 ) 27.35 Options outstanding at September 30, 2017 1,266 $ 24.98 7.61 $ 5,200 Options vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2017 1,186 $ 24.77 7.53 $ 5,025 Options exercisable at September 30, 2017 538 $ 21.96 6.27 $ 3,352
Summary of the activity of restricted stock	A summary of the activity of restricted stock outstanding is as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 : Shares Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value (in thousands) Restricted stock outstanding at January 1, 2017 1,346 $ 24.37 Granted 927 35.33 Vested (439 ) 23.20 Forfeited/canceled (60 ) 26.76 Restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2017 1,774 $ 30.45

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic and diluted earnings per share	Basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 Net income $ 38,453 $ 43,674 $ 109,761 $ 99,156 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 36 46 123 123 Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. 38,489 43,720 109,884 99,279 Basic earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.: Weighted average shares outstanding 122,251 111,162 119,356 111,015 Per share amount $ 0.31 $ 0.39 $ 0.92 $ 0.89 Diluted earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.: Weighted average shares outstanding 122,251 111,162 119,356 111,015 Dilutive effect of equity incentive plans 636 342 758 410 Weighted average shares assuming dilution 122,887 111,504 120,114 111,425 Per share amount $ 0.31 $ 0.39 $ 0.91 $ 0.89

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Debt	Debt outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Senior Credit Facility: Term loan $ 796,000 $ 289,500 Unamortized discount on term loan (3,660 ) (375 ) Unamortized debt issuance costs on term loan (7,961 ) — Revolver 245,874 515,000 Total Senior Credit Facility $ 1,030,253 $ 804,125 6.00% Senior Notes: Notes Due in 2026 350,000 350,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (5,447 ) (5,770 ) Total 6.00% Senior Notes Due in 2026 344,553 344,230 5.875% Senior Notes: Notes Due in 2024 250,000 250,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (3,485 ) (3,773 ) Total 5.875% Senior Notes Due in 2024 246,515 246,227 5.125% Senior Notes: Notes Due in 2023 300,000 300,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (4,339 ) (4,786 ) Total 5.125% Senior Notes Due in 2023 295,661 295,214 5.875% Senior Notes Notes Due in 2022 250,000 250,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (3,417 ) (3,923 ) Total 5.875% Senior Notes Due in 2022 246,583 246,077 Non-Recourse Debt 586,606 490,902 Unamortized debt issuance costs on non-recourse debt (12,689 ) (18,295 ) Unamortized discount on non-recourse debt (299 ) (400 ) Total Non-Recourse Debt 573,618 472,207 Capital Lease Obligations 7,757 8,693 Other debt 2,787 3,030 Total debt 2,747,727 2,419,803 Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt (260,046 ) (238,065 ) Capital Lease Obligations, long-term portion (6,412 ) (7,431 ) Non-Recourse Debt, long-term portion (323,387 ) (238,842 ) Long-Term Debt $ 2,157,882 $ 1,935,465

Business Segments and Geograp33

Business Segments and Geographic Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating and Reporting Segments	The Company's segment revenues from external customers and a measure of segment profit are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 Revenues: U.S. Corrections & Detention $ 365,071 $ 344,452 $ 1,073,840 $ 1,024,395 GEO Care 134,610 99,779 377,740 289,722 International Services 45,641 40,416 130,261 116,468 Facility Construction & Design (1) 21,437 69,729 112,602 182,326 Total revenues $ 566,759 $ 554,376 $ 1,694,443 $ 1,612,911 Operating income (loss) from segments: U.S. Corrections & Detention $ 77,551 $ 77,865 $ 224,838 $ 220,292 GEO Care 31,293 30,007 94,062 80,558 International Services 3,410 1,866 8,413 4,702 Facility Construction & Design (1) (278 ) 196 (1,620 ) 471 Operating income from segments $ 111,976 $ 109,934 $ 325,693 $ 306,023 (1) In September 2014, the Company began the design and construction of a new prison contract located in Ravenhall, a locality near Melbourne, Australia. During the design and construction phase, the Company recognizes revenue as earned on a percentage of completion basis measured by the percentage of costs incurred to date as compared to estimated total costs for the design and construction of the facility. Costs incurred and estimated earnings in excess of billings is classified as Contract Receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and is recorded at the net present value based on the timing of expected future settlement. A portion of the Contract Receivable will be paid by the State upon commercial acceptance of the prison and the remainder will be paid quarterly over the life of the contract. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the Company became aware of certain claims by its construction subcontractor for unanticipated additional costs which are in excess of the agreed contract price. The Company has agreed in principle with the subcontractor to pay approximately $1.9 million related to these overruns and has recorded a provision for loss related to these claims during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 .
Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments	The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s total operating income from its reportable segments to the Company’s income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 Total operating income from segments $ 111,976 $ 109,934 $ 325,693 $ 306,023 Unallocated amounts: General and Administrative Expenses (49,074 ) (37,483 ) (143,866 ) (108,448 ) Net Interest Expense (24,071 ) (25,500 ) (70,731 ) (75,477 ) Loss on Extinguishment of Debt — — — (15,885 ) Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates $ 38,831 $ 46,951 $ 111,096 $ 106,213

Benefit Plans (Tables)

Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Components of Company Plan Benefit Expense	The following table summarizes key information related to the Company’s pension plans and retirement agreements (in thousands): Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Year Ended December 31, 2016 Change in Projected Benefit Obligation Projected benefit obligation, beginning of period $ 28,624 $ 25,935 Service cost 751 995 Interest cost 921 1,155 Actuarial loss — 1,031 Benefits paid (426 ) (492 ) Projected benefit obligation, end of period $ 29,870 $ 28,624 Change in Plan Assets Plan assets at fair value, beginning of period $ — $ — Company contributions 426 492 Benefits paid (426 ) (492 ) Plan assets at fair value, end of period $ — $ — Unfunded Status of the Plan $ (29,870 ) $ (28,624 )
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Service cost $ 250 $ 249 $ 751 746 Interest cost 307 289 $ 921 $ 866 Net loss 73 53 218 160 Net periodic pension cost $ 630 $ 591 $ 1,890 $ 1,772

Condensed Consolidating Finan35

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (dollars in thousands) (unaudited) For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues $ 171,553 $ 464,140 $ 69,698 $ (138,632 ) $ 566,759 Operating expenses 139,165 364,834 57,767 (138,632 ) 423,134 Depreciation and amortization 6,104 24,623 922 — 31,649 General and administrative expenses 14,699 28,066 6,309 — 49,074 Operating income 11,585 46,617 4,700 — 62,902 Interest income 2,688 1,629 14,871 (4,540 ) 14,648 Interest expense (18,148 ) (13,093 ) (12,018 ) 4,540 (38,719 ) Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (3,875 ) 35,153 7,553 — 38,831 Income tax provision 147 811 762 — 1,720 Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision — — 1,342 — 1,342 Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries (4,022 ) 34,342 8,133 — 38,453 Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision 42,475 — — (42,475 ) — Net income 38,453 34,342 8,133 (42,475 ) 38,453 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 36 — 36 Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 38,453 $ 34,342 $ 8,169 $ (42,475 ) $ 38,489 Net income $ 38,453 $ 34,342 $ 8,133 $ (42,475 ) $ 38,453 Other comprehensive income, net of tax — 64 1,561 — 1,625 Total comprehensive income $ 38,453 $ 34,406 $ 9,694 $ (42,475 ) $ 40,078 Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 34 — 34 Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 38,453 $ 34,406 $ 9,728 $ (42,475 ) $ 40,112 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (dollars in thousands) (unaudited) For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues $ 173,920 $ 410,329 $ 112,708 $ (142,581 ) $ 554,376 Operating expenses 144,748 314,009 99,483 (142,581 ) 415,659 Depreciation and amortization 6,339 21,502 942 — 28,783 General and administrative expenses 11,727 18,180 7,576 — 37,483 Operating income 11,106 56,638 4,707 — 72,451 Interest income 4,765 422 8,029 (5,288 ) 7,928 Interest expense (16,324 ) (13,525 ) (8,867 ) 5,288 (33,428 ) Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (453 ) 43,535 3,869 — 46,951 Income tax provision (benefit) (9 ) 4,032 947 — 4,970 Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision — — 1,693 — 1,693 Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries (444 ) 39,503 4,615 — 43,674 Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision 44,118 — — (44,118 ) — Net income 43,674 39,503 4,615 (44,118 ) 43,674 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 46 — 46 Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 43,674 $ 39,503 $ 4,661 $ (44,118 ) $ 43,720 Net income $ 43,674 $ 39,503 $ 4,615 $ (44,118 ) $ 43,674 Other comprehensive income, net of tax — 33 450 — 483 Total comprehensive income $ 43,674 $ 39,536 $ 5,065 $ (44,118 ) $ 44,157 Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 36 — 36 Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 43,674 $ 39,536 $ 5,101 $ (44,118 ) $ 44,193 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Combined Eliminations Consolidated Revenues $ 520,986 $ 1,342,620 $ 250,618 $ (419,781 ) $ 1,694,443 Operating expenses 406,576 1,076,232 213,259 (419,781 ) 1,276,286 Depreciation and amortization 18,319 71,404 2,741 — 92,464 General and administrative expenses 43,939 78,479 21,448 — 143,866 Operating income 52,152 116,505 13,170 — 181,827 Interest income 12,793 2,858 39,175 (15,855 ) 38,971 Interest expense (51,391 ) (41,353 ) (32,813 ) 15,855 (109,702 ) Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates 13,554 78,010 19,532 — 111,096 Income tax provision 441 3,058 2,091 — 5,590 Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision — — 4,255 — 4,255 Income before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries 13,113 74,952 21,696 — 109,761 Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision 96,648 — — (96,648 ) — Net income 109,761 74,952 21,696 (96,648 ) 109,761 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 123 — 123 Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 109,761 $ 74,952 $ 21,819 $ (96,648 ) $ 109,884 Net income $ 109,761 $ 74,952 $ 21,696 $ (96,648 ) $ 109,761 Other comprehensive income, net of tax — 175 4,586 — 4,761 Total comprehensive income $ 109,761 $ 75,127 $ 26,282 $ (96,648 ) $ 114,522 Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 119 — 119 Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 109,761 $ 75,127 $ 26,401 $ (96,648 ) $ 114,641 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Combined Eliminations Consolidated Revenues $ 515,971 $ 1,215,469 $ 306,484 $ (425,013 ) $ 1,612,911 Operating expenses 418,261 957,704 270,050 (425,013 ) 1,221,002 Depreciation and amortization 18,866 64,159 2,861 — 85,886 General and administrative expenses 34,548 53,396 20,504 — 108,448 Operating income 44,296 140,210 13,069 — 197,575 Interest income 15,646 1,440 18,699 (17,398 ) 18,387 Interest expense (49,031 ) (41,401 ) (20,830 ) 17,398 (93,864 ) Loss on early extinguishment of debt (15,885 ) — — — (15,885 ) Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (4,974 ) 100,249 10,938 — 106,213 Income tax provision (benefit) (101 ) 9,323 2,778 — 12,000 Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision — — 4,943 — 4,943 Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries (4,873 ) 90,926 13,103 — 99,156 Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision 104,029 — — (104,029 ) — Net income 99,156 90,926 13,103 (104,029 ) 99,156 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 123 — 123 Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 99,156 $ 90,926 $ 13,226 $ (104,029 ) $ 99,279 Net income $ 99,156 $ 90,926 $ 13,103 $ (104,029 ) $ 99,156 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax — 98 (3,081 ) — (2,983 ) Total comprehensive income 99,156 91,024 10,022 (104,029 ) 96,173 Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 104 — 104 Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 99,156 $ 91,024 $ 10,126 $ (104,029 ) $ 96,277
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET (dollars in thousands) (unaudited) As of September 30, 2017 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,191 $ 13,853 $ 31,482 $ — $ 51,526 Restricted cash and investments — — 12,452 — 12,452 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 129,730 241,031 16,137 — 386,898 Contract receivable, current portion — — 243,531 — 243,531 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,921 28,033 5,119 — 36,073 Total current assets 138,842 282,917 308,721 — 730,480 Restricted Cash and Investments — 24,387 6,645 — 31,032 Property and Equipment, Net 751,374 1,213,614 90,994 — 2,055,982 Non-Current Contract Receivable — — 405,780 — 405,780 Intercompany Receivable 1,128,469 104,226 24,654 (1,257,349 ) — Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets 763 19,254 11,814 — 31,831 Goodwill 79 781,444 449 — 781,972 Intangible Assets, Net — 261,053 737 — 261,790 Investment in Subsidiaries 1,332,393 456,075 2,191 (1,790,659 ) — Other Non-Current Assets 12,714 118,579 18,708 (79,527 ) 70,474 Total Assets $ 3,364,634 $ 3,261,549 $ 870,693 $ (3,127,535 ) $ 4,369,341 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Accounts payable $ 8,573 $ 66,848 $ 16,196 $ — $ 91,617 Accrued payroll and related taxes — 30,190 18,590 — 48,780 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 48,090 106,056 20,175 — 174,321 Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt 8,000 1,815 250,231 — 260,046 Total current liabilities 64,663 204,909 305,192 — 574,764 Intercompany Payable 14,535 1,211,260 31,554 (1,257,349 ) — Other Non-Current Liabilities 4,120 151,405 16,806 (79,527 ) 92,804 Capital Lease Obligations — 6,412 — — 6,412 Long-Term Debt 2,067,008 — 90,874 — 2,157,882 Non-Recourse Debt — — 323,387 — 323,387 Commitments & Contingencies and Other Shareholders' Equity: The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity 1,214,308 1,687,563 103,098 (1,790,659 ) 1,214,310 Noncontrolling Interests — — (218 ) — (218 ) Total Shareholders’ Equity 1,214,308 1,687,563 102,880 (1,790,659 ) 1,214,092 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 3,364,634 $ 3,261,549 $ 870,693 $ (3,127,535 ) $ 4,369,341 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET (dollars in thousands) As of December 31, 2016 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 45,566 $ 842 $ 21,630 $ — $ 68,038 Restricted cash and investments — — 17,133 — 17,133 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 139,571 200,239 16,445 — 356,255 Contract receivable, current portion — — 224,033 — 224,033 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 677 24,096 7,437 — 32,210 Total current assets 185,814 225,177 286,678 — 697,669 Restricted Cash and Investments 170 19,742 936 — 20,848 Property and Equipment, Net 735,104 1,078,220 83,917 — 1,897,241 Non-Current Contract Receivable — — 219,783 219,783 Intercompany Receivable 918,527 141,987 27,290 (1,087,804 ) — Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets 764 17,918 11,357 — 30,039 Goodwill 79 614,941 413 — 615,433 Intangible Assets, Net — 203,138 746 — 203,884 Investment in Subsidiaries 1,238,772 453,635 2,190 (1,694,597 ) — Other Non-Current Assets 15,011 108,434 20,933 (79,866 ) 64,512 Total Assets $ 3,094,241 $ 2,863,192 $ 654,243 $ (2,862,267 ) $ 3,749,409 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Accounts payable $ 8,402 $ 50,200 $ 21,035 $ — $ 79,637 Accrued payroll and related taxes — 41,230 14,030 — 55,260 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 36,792 83,906 10,398 — 131,096 Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt 3,000 1,700 233,365 — 238,065 Total current liabilities 48,194 177,036 278,828 — 504,058 Intercompany Payable 133,039 920,825 33,940 (1,087,804 ) — Other Non-Current Liabilities 2,487 144,383 21,652 (79,866 ) 88,656 Capital Lease Obligations — 7,431 — — 7,431 Long-Term Debt 1,935,465 — — — 1,935,465 Non-Recourse Debt — — 238,842 — 238,842 Commitments & Contingencies and Other Shareholders' Equity: The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity 975,056 1,613,517 81,080 (1,694,597 ) 975,056 Noncontrolling Interests — — (99 ) — (99 ) Total Shareholders’ Equity 975,056 1,613,517 80,981 (1,694,597 ) 974,957 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 3,094,241 $ 2,863,192 $ 654,243 $ (2,862,267 ) $ 3,749,409
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (dollars in thousands) (unaudited) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Consolidated Cash Flow from Operating Activities: Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 15,473 $ 79,088 $ (36,733 ) $ 57,828 Cash Flow from Investing Activities: Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired (353,555 ) — — (353,555 ) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 845 — 11 856 Insurance proceeds - damaged property 86 — — 86 Change in restricted cash and investments — (4,645 ) (175 ) (4,820 ) Capital expenditures (34,679 ) (61,432 ) (8,019 ) (104,130 ) Net cash used in investing activities (387,303 ) (66,077 ) (8,183 ) (461,563 ) Cash Flow from Financing Activities: Proceeds from long-term debt 1,324,865 — — 1,324,865 Payments on long-term debt (1,093,088 ) — — (1,093,088 ) Payments on non-recourse debt — — (68,887 ) (68,887 ) Proceeds from non-recourse debt — — 123,785 123,785 Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards (4,122 ) — — (4,122 ) Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP — — 382 382 Proceeds from issuance of common stock under prospectus supplement 275,867 — 275,867 Debt issuance costs (8,701 ) — (769 ) (9,470 ) Proceeds from stock options exercised 6,786 — — 6,786 Dividends paid (169,152 ) — (169,152 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 332,455 — 54,511 386,966 Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents — — 257 257 Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents (39,375 ) 13,011 9,852 (16,512 ) Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period 45,566 842 21,630 68,038 Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period $ 6,191 $ 13,853 $ 31,482 $ 51,526 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (dollars in thousands) (unaudited) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Consolidated Cash Flow from Operating Activities: Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ 99,124 $ 57,187 $ (168,069 ) $ (11,758 ) Cash Flow from Investing Activities: Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 68 — — 68 Insurance proceeds - damaged property 4,733 — — 4,733 Change in restricted cash and investments (24 ) (2,635 ) (95,057 ) (97,716 ) Capital expenditures (9,879 ) (54,552 ) (3,584 ) (68,015 ) Net cash used in investing activities (5,102 ) (57,187 ) (98,641 ) (160,930 ) Cash Flow from Financing Activities: Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards (2,336 ) — — (2,336 ) Proceeds from long-term debt 813,077 — — 813,077 Payments on long-term debt (775,256 ) — (775,256 ) Payments on non-recourse debt — — (1,878 ) (1,878 ) Proceeds from non-recourse debt — — 273,087 273,087 Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP — 338 338 Debt issuance costs (16,980 ) — (3,510 ) (20,490 ) Tax deficiency related to equity compensation (844 ) — — (844 ) Proceeds from stock options exercised 2,367 — — 2,367 Dividends paid (145,991 ) — — (145,991 ) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (125,963 ) — 268,037 142,074 Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents — — 1,099 1,099 Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents (31,941 ) — 2,426 (29,515 ) Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period 37,077 — 22,561 59,638 Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period $ 5,136 $ — $ 24,987 $ 30,123

Basis of Presentation (Details)

Basis of Presentation (Details) detainee in Thousands, bed in Thousands	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017facilitydetaineebed	Dec. 31, 2016detainee
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of beds | bed		96
Correctional, detention and residential treatment facilities including projects under development | facility		140
Provision of monitoring services tracking offenders (more than 185,000)		185
Provision of monitoring services tracking offenders using technology products (in detainees)			100
Common shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock split, conversion ratio	1.5

Business Combinations - Narrati

Business Combinations - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	Apr. 05, 2017USD ($)bed	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired				$ 353,555	$ 0
Goodwill			$ 781,972	781,972		$ 615,433
Community Education Centers
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of beds in facility (more than 12,000) | bed	12,000
Percentage of voting interests acquired	100.00%
Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired	$ 353,600
Cash acquired from acquisition	3,000
Acquisition related costs	4,100
Debt outstanding	115,000
Purchase price adjustment, decrease		$ 2,600
Maximum potential adjustment to purchase price	1,900
Measurement period adjustment			6,000
Measurement period adjustment, valuation of an unfavorable contract liability			4,600
Goodwill	$ 166,493
Revenue for CEC activity since acquisition			114,000	56,700
Earnings for CEC activity since acquisition			$ 14,000	2,600
Acquisition-related Costs | Community Education Centers
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition related costs				$ 14,000

Business Combinations - Assets

Business Combinations - Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Apr. 05, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 781,972		$ 615,433
Community Education Centers
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable		$ 29,916
Prepaid and other current assets		4,407
Property and equipment		126,510
Intangible assets		76,000
Favorable lease assets		3,110
Deferred income tax assets		1,792
Other non-current assets		4,327
Total assets acquired		246,062
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		52,341
Unfavorable lease liabilities		1,299
Other non-current liabilities		5,360
Total liabilities assumed		59,000
Total identifiable net assets		187,062
Goodwill		166,493
Total consideration paid, net of cash acquired		$ 353,555

Business Combinations - Intangi

Business Combinations - Intangible Assets Acquired (Details) $ in Thousands	Apr. 05, 2017USD ($)
Community Education Centers
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total acquired intangible assets	$ 76,000
Facility management contracts
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted Average Useful Life (years)	17 years 12 months 100 days
Facility management contracts | Community Education Centers
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total acquired intangible assets	$ 75,300
Covenants not to compete
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted Average Useful Life (years)	1 year
Covenants not to compete | Community Education Centers
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total acquired intangible assets	$ 700

Business Combinations - Pro For

Business Combinations - Pro Forma (Details) - Community Education Centers - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro forma revenues	$ 566,759	$ 621,565	$ 1,756,320	$ 1,805,064
Pro forma net income attributable to the GEO Group, Inc.	$ 42,033	$ 44,525	$ 122,832	$ 100,372

Goodwill and Other Intangible41

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	$ 615,433
Acquisitions	166,493
Foreign Currency Translation	46
Goodwill, end of period	781,972
U.S. Corrections & Detention
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	277,774
Acquisitions	41,604
Foreign Currency Translation	0
Goodwill, end of period	319,378
GEO Care
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	337,257
Acquisitions	124,889
Foreign Currency Translation	0
Goodwill, end of period	462,146
International Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	402
Acquisitions	0
Foreign Currency Translation	46
Goodwill, end of period	$ 448

Goodwill and Other Intangible42

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Finite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated Amortization	$ (126,256)	$ (108,152)
Net Carrying Amount	216,590
Gross carrying amount	388,046	312,036
Total acquired intangible assets	261,790	203,884
Trade names
Schedule of Finite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Trade name (Indefinite lived)	$ 45,200	45,200
Facility management contracts
Schedule of Finite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Useful Life	16 years 3 months 6 days
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 308,446	233,136
Accumulated Amortization	(101,537)	(87,256)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 206,909	145,880
Covenants not to compete
Schedule of Finite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Useful Life	1 year
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 700	0
Accumulated Amortization	(342)	0
Net Carrying Amount	$ 358	0
Technology
Schedule of Finite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Useful Life	7 years 3 months 18 days
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 33,700	33,700
Accumulated Amortization	(24,377)	(20,896)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 9,323	$ 12,804

Goodwill and Other Intangible43

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Estimated Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Estimated amortization expense for the remainder
Remainder of 2017	$ 6,525
2,018	22,821
2,019	22,310
2,020	22,310
2,021	20,090
Thereafter	122,534
Net Carrying Amount	$ 216,590

Goodwill and Other Intangible44

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 6.5	$ 5.1	$ 18.1	$ 15.3
Facility management contracts
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average period			1 year 7 months 6 days

Financial Instruments (Details)

Financial Instruments (Details) - Recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Restricted investment:
Rabbi Trust	$ 19,472	$ 15,662
Fixed income securities	1,917	1,782
Interest rate cap derivatives		15
Interest rate swap derivatives
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap derivatives	15,673	18,679
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Restricted investment:
Rabbi Trust	0	0
Fixed income securities	0	0
Interest rate cap derivatives		0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Interest rate swap derivatives
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap derivatives	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Restricted investment:
Rabbi Trust	19,472	15,662
Fixed income securities	1,917	1,782
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Interest rate swap derivatives
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap derivatives	15,673	18,679
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Restricted investment:
Rabbi Trust	0	0
Fixed income securities	0	0
Interest rate cap derivatives		0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Interest rate swap derivatives
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap derivatives	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value of Assets and Liab46

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities - Carrying Values and Fair Values (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 51,526	$ 68,038	$ 30,123	$ 59,638
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	51,526	68,038
Restricted cash and investments	24,012	22,319
Liabilities:
Borrowings under senior credit facility	1,041,874	804,500
Carrying Value | Subsidiary | AUSTRALIA
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt	549,926	454,222
Carrying Value | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024
Liabilities:
Senior notes	250,000	250,000
Carrying Value | 5.125% Senior Notes
Liabilities:
Senior notes	300,000	300,000
Carrying Value | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022
Liabilities:
Senior notes	250,000	250,000
Carrying Value | 6.00% Senior Notes
Liabilities:
Senior notes	350,000	350,000
Carrying Value | Other non-recourse debt, including current portion
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt	36,381	36,280
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	51,526	68,038
Restricted cash and investments	24,012	22,319
Liabilities:
Borrowings under senior credit facility	1,047,844	795,008
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Subsidiary | AUSTRALIA
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt	549,926	454,185
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024
Liabilities:
Senior notes	260,943	247,813
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 5.125% Senior Notes
Liabilities:
Senior notes	305,418	292,125
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022
Liabilities:
Senior notes	260,985	254,688
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 6.00% Senior Notes
Liabilities:
Senior notes	368,571	346,938
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Other non-recourse debt, including current portion
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt	37,465	37,550
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 1
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	51,526	68,038
Restricted cash and investments	20,592	19,614
Liabilities:
Borrowings under senior credit facility	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 1 | Subsidiary | AUSTRALIA
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 1 | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024
Liabilities:
Senior notes	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 1 | 5.125% Senior Notes
Liabilities:
Senior notes	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 1 | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022
Liabilities:
Senior notes	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 1 | 6.00% Senior Notes
Liabilities:
Senior notes	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 1 | Other non-recourse debt, including current portion
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 2
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Restricted cash and investments	3,420	2,705
Liabilities:
Borrowings under senior credit facility	1,047,844	795,008
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 2 | Subsidiary | AUSTRALIA
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt	549,926	454,185
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 2 | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024
Liabilities:
Senior notes	260,943	247,813
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 2 | 5.125% Senior Notes
Liabilities:
Senior notes	305,418	292,125
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 2 | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022
Liabilities:
Senior notes	260,985	254,688
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 2 | 6.00% Senior Notes
Liabilities:
Senior notes	368,571	346,938
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 2 | Other non-recourse debt, including current portion
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt	37,465	37,550
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 3
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Restricted cash and investments	0	0
Liabilities:
Borrowings under senior credit facility	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 3 | Subsidiary | AUSTRALIA
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 3 | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024
Liabilities:
Senior notes	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 3 | 5.125% Senior Notes
Liabilities:
Senior notes	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 3 | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022
Liabilities:
Senior notes	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 3 | 6.00% Senior Notes
Liabilities:
Senior notes	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 3 | Other non-recourse debt, including current portion
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value of Assets and Liab47

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities - Narrative (Details) - Senior Notes	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
5.875% Senior Notes, due 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.875%	5.875%
5.125% Senior Notes, due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.125%	5.125%
5.875% Senior Notes, due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.875%	5.875%
6.00% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	6.00%	6.00%

Shareholders' Equity (Details)

Shareholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 13, 2017	Mar. 07, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance					$ 974,957
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, value					$ 6,786
Proceeds from exercise of stock options (shares)					348,000
Stock-based compensation expense					$ 14,852
Restricted stock granted, value					0
Restricted stock canceled					0
Dividends paid					(169,152)
Issuance of common stock - prospectus supplement					275,867
Issuance of common stock - prospectus supplement (shares)	10,350,000	9,000,000
Shares withheld for net settlements of share-based awards					(4,122)
Issuance of common stock - ESPP					382
Net income			$ 38,453	$ 43,674	109,761	$ 99,156
Other comprehensive income			1,625	$ 483	4,761	$ (2,983)
Ending Balance			1,214,092		1,214,092
Common shares
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance					$ 1,125
Beginning Balance, shares					112,548,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, value					$ 3
Proceeds from exercise of stock options (shares)					348,000
Restricted stock granted, value					$ 9
Restricted stock granted (shares)					927,000
Restricted stock canceled (shares)					(60,000)
Issuance of common stock - prospectus supplement					$ 104
Issuance of common stock - prospectus supplement (shares)					10,350,000
Shares withheld for net settlements of share-based awards					$ (1)
Shares withheld for net settlements of share-based awards (shares)					(135,000)
Re-issuance of treasury shares - ESPP (shares)					13,000
Ending Balance			$ 1,240		$ 1,240
Ending Balance, shares			123,991,000		123,991,000
Additional Paid-In Capital
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance					$ 891,993
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, value					6,783
Stock-based compensation expense					14,852
Restricted stock granted, value					(9)
Issuance of common stock - prospectus supplement					275,763
Shares withheld for net settlements of share-based awards					(4,121)
Issuance of common stock - ESPP					382
Ending Balance			$ 1,185,643		1,185,643
Earnings in Excess of Distributions
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance					112,763
Dividends paid					(169,152)
Net income					109,884
Ending Balance			53,495		53,495
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance					(30,825)
Other comprehensive income					4,757
Ending Balance			(26,068)		(26,068)
Noncontrolling Interests
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance					(99)
Net income					(123)
Other comprehensive income					4
Ending Balance			$ (218)		$ (218)

Shareholders' Equity - Dividend

Shareholders' Equity - Dividends Declared (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Jul. 10, 2017	Apr. 25, 2017	Feb. 06, 2017	Oct. 18, 2016	Jul. 20, 2016	Apr. 20, 2016	Feb. 03, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Minimum percentage of taxable income to be distributed as REIT	90.00%
Distribution Per Share (USD per share)		$ 0.47	$ 0.47	$ 0.47	$ 0.43	$ 0.43	$ 0.43	$ 0.43
Aggregate Payment Amount		$ 58.3	$ 58.4	$ 52.5	$ 48.8	$ 48.7	$ 48.7	$ 48.5

Shareholders' Equity - Prospect

Shareholders' Equity - Prospectus Supplement (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 13, 2017	Mar. 08, 2017	Mar. 07, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Nov. 10, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
New issues (shares)	10,350,000		9,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)			$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Sale of stock, price per share (in dollars per share)			27.8
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	$ 288,100,000
Over-Allotment Option
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	$ 37,600,000
Prospectus Supplement
Class of Stock [Line Items]
New issues (shares)				0	0
Maximum common stock value authorized under prospectus supplement						$ 150,000,000
Underwriters
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of stock, price per share (in dollars per share)			$ 26.7
Underwriters | Over-Allotment Option
Class of Stock [Line Items]
New issues (shares)		1,350,000
Additional purchase of shares, exercise term			30 days

Shareholders' Equity - Componen

Shareholders' Equity - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 975,056
Current-period other comprehensive income	4,757
Ending balance	1,214,310
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(11,284)
Current-period other comprehensive income	2,026
Ending balance	(9,258)
Unrealized (loss)/gain on derivatives, net of tax
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(15,877)
Current-period other comprehensive income	2,556
Ending balance	(13,321)
Pension adjustments, net of tax
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(3,664)
Current-period other comprehensive income	175
Ending balance	(3,489)
Total
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(30,825)
Ending balance	$ (26,068)

Equity Incentive Plans - Stock

Equity Incentive Plans - Stock Option Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Shares
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance, Shares	1,211
Options granted, Shares	462
Options exercised, Shares	(348)
Options forfeited/canceled/expired, Shares	(59)
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Shares	1,266	1,211
Options vested and expected to vest, ending balance, Shares	1,186
Options exercisable, ending balance, Shares	538
Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 20.65
Options granted, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	32.30
Options exercised, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	19.22
Options forfeited/canceled/expired, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	27.35
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	24.98	$ 20.65
Options vested and expected to vest, ending balance, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	24.77
Options exercisable, ending balance, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 21.96
Options, Additional Disclosures
Options outstanding, Remaining Contractual Term	7 years 7 months 9 days	7 years 1 month 21 days
Options vested and expected to vest, ending balance, Wtd. Avg., Remaining Contractual Term	7 years 6 months 11 days
Options exercisable, ending balance, Wtd. Avg. Remaining Contractual Term	6 years 3 months 8 days
Options outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 5,200	$ 5,466
Options vested and expected to vest, ending balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	5,025
Options exercisable, ending balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 3,352

Equity Incentive Plans - Restri

Equity Incentive Plans - Restricted Stock Activity (Details) - Restricted Stock shares in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017$ / sharesshares
Shares
Restricted stock outstanding shares, Beginning Balance | shares	1,346
Granted shares | shares	927
Vested shares | shares	(439)
Forfeited/canceled shares | shares	(60)
Restricted stock outstanding shares, Ending Balance | shares	1,774
Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted stock outstanding Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 24.37
Granted Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	35.33
Vested Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	23.20
Forfeited/canceled Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	26.76
Restricted stock outstanding Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 30.45

Equity Incentive Plans - Narrat

Equity Incentive Plans - Narrative (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)performance_metricshares	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)performance_metric$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	May 02, 2014shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted (in shares)		462,000
Options granted, grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 5.91
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility rate		42.20%
Risk free interest rate		1.46%
Share based compensation expense | $		$ 13.8	$ 9.2
Unrecognized compensation costs related to non vested stock option awards | $	$ 36.4	$ 36.4
Expected weighted average period to recognize expense		2 years 8 months 1 day
Vesting period		3 years
Granted shares		927,000
Number of annual performance metrics | performance_metric	2	2
Beta of portfolio		1.11
Restricted Stock | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period		3 years
Restricted Stock | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period		4 years
Vesting rights, percentage weighted towards earnings per share performance	50.00%	50.00%
Award vesting rights, percentage weighted towards capital performance targets	50.00%	50.00%
Employee Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Discount on purchase of Common Stock for employee from the current market price		5.00%
Maximum shares authorized under ESPP for sale offer to eligible employees (in shares)	750,000	750,000
Shares issued (in shares)	13,360
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility rate		35.72%
Expected term		5 years
Risk free interest rate		1.53%
Expected dividend rate		5.79%
Share based compensation expense | $		$ 1.1	$ 0.4
Unrecognized compensation costs related to non vested stock option awards | $	$ 1.9	$ 1.9
Expected weighted average period to recognize expense		3 years 1 month
Performance Based Shares | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage of target		0.00%
Performance Based Shares | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage of target		200.00%
2014 Stock Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for issuance				4,625,030
Common stock available for the issuance of awards (in shares)				3,000,000
2006 Stock Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock available for the issuance of awards (in shares)				1,625,030
Certain Employees and Executive Officers | Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted shares		927,000
Certain Employees and Executive Officers | Performance Based Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted shares		295,000

Earnings Per Share - Earnings P

Earnings Per Share - Earnings Per Share Calculation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Net income	$ 38,453	$ 43,674	$ 109,761	$ 99,156
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	36	46	123	123
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 38,489	$ 43,720	$ 109,884	$ 99,279
Basic earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.:
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	122,251	111,162	119,356	111,015
Per share amount (USD per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.39	$ 0.92	$ 0.89
Diluted earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.:
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	122,251	111,162	119,356	111,015
Dilutive effect of equity incentive plans (shares)	636	342	758	410
Weighted average shares assuming dilution	122,887	111,504	120,114	111,425
Income from continuing operations (USD per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.39	$ 0.91	$ 0.89

Earnings Per Share - Anti-dilut

Earnings Per Share - Anti-dilutive Shares Excluded from Diluted EPS (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Restricted Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	814,800	357,842	662,126	333,782
Stock Options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	681,007	921,192	601,453	849,915

Derivative Financial Instrume57

Derivative Financial Instruments - Australia Fulham (Details)	Sep. 30, 2017
Fullham, Australia
Interest Rate Swaps [Abstract]
Fixed interest rate on cash flow interest rate derivative	9.70%

Derivative Financial Instrume58

Derivative Financial Instruments - Australia Ravenhall (Details) AUD in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017AUD	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized losses, net of tax, related to cash flow hedge	$ (1,740,000)	$ 520,000	$ (2,556,000)	$ 5,162,000
Ravenhall, Australia
Derivative [Line Items]
Ineffective portion of Cash Flow Hedge interest rate swap			0
Ravenhall, Australia | Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of the swap liability						$ 15,700,000
Ravenhall, Australia | Design and construction phase | Interest Rate Swap
Derivative [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate on derivative					3.30%	3.30%
Notional amount coincide with the terms of the non-recourse debt					AUD 703	$ 551,000,000
Ravenhall, Australia | Operating phase | Interest Rate Swap
Derivative [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate on derivative					4.20%	4.20%
Notional amount coincide with the terms of the non-recourse debt					AUD 466	$ 365,000,000
Ravenhall, Australia | Cash Flow Hedge
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized losses, net of tax, related to cash flow hedge			$ 2,600,000
Construction Facility | Non-Recourse Debt | National Australia Bank Limited | Ravenhall
Derivative [Line Items]
Lump sum due at completion					AUD 310	$ 243,000,000

Debt - Debt Outstanding (Detail

Debt - Debt Outstanding (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan	$ 796,000	$ 289,500
Unamortized debt issuance expense	(7,961)	0
Revolver	245,874	515,000
Total Senior Credit Facility	1,030,253	804,125
Unamortized discount	(3,660)	(375)
Capital Lease Obligations	7,757	8,693
Other debt	2,787	3,030
Total debt	2,747,727	2,419,803
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	(260,046)	(238,065)
Capital Lease Obligations, long-term portion	(6,412)	(7,431)
Non-Recourse Debt, long-term portion	(323,387)	(238,842)
Long-Term Debt	2,157,882	1,935,465
Non-Recourse Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance expense	(12,689)	(18,295)
Non-Recourse Debt	586,606	490,902
Unamortized discount	(299)	(400)
Total Non-Recourse Debt	573,618	472,207
6.00% Senior Notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	350,000	350,000
Unamortized debt issuance expense	(5,447)	(5,770)
Long-term Debt	$ 344,553	$ 344,230
Interest rate	6.00%	6.00%
5.875% Senior Notes, due 2024 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 250,000	$ 250,000
Unamortized debt issuance expense	(3,485)	(3,773)
Long-term Debt	$ 246,515	$ 246,227
Interest rate	5.875%	5.875%
5.125% Senior Notes, due 2023 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 300,000	$ 300,000
Unamortized debt issuance expense	(4,339)	(4,786)
Long-term Debt	$ 295,661	$ 295,214
Interest rate	5.125%	5.125%
5.875% Senior Notes, due 2022 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 250,000	$ 250,000
Unamortized debt issuance expense	(3,417)	(3,923)
Long-term Debt	$ 246,583	$ 246,077
Interest rate	5.875%	5.875%

Debt - Amended Credit Agreement

Debt - Amended Credit Agreement (Details)	Mar. 23, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017AUD	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 23, 2017AUD	Mar. 23, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 22, 2017AUD	Mar. 22, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan costs			$ 7,961,000					$ 0
Term loan			796,000,000					289,500,000
Revolver			$ 245,874,000					$ 515,000,000
Weighted average interest rate		3.50%	3.50%
Revolver
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolver			$ 246,000,000
Additional Revolver
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowing capacity increase			589,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of Credit | Amended Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity					$ 900,000,000
Leverage ratio				2.50	2.50
Total leverage ratio, maximum				6.25	6.25
Senior secured leverage ratio				3.50	3.50
Interest coverage ratio				3	3
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of Credit | Amended Credit Agreement | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate				2.25%	2.25%
Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt			65,000,000
Letter of Credit | Line of Credit | Amended Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity | AUD				AUD 275,000,000		AUD 225,000,000
Loan costs					$ 7,000,000
Letter of Credit | Line of Credit | Bank Guarantee and Standby Sub Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		AUD 100,000,000	78,300,000
Accordion | Line of Credit | Amended Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accordion feature, increase limit	$ 450,000,000
Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan			$ 796,000,000
Term Loan | Line of Credit | Amended Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity					$ 800,000,000		$ 291,000,000
Term Loan | Line of Credit | Amended Credit Agreement | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate				2.25%	2.25%
Interest rate				0.75%	0.75%

Debt - Senior Notes (Details)

Debt - Senior Notes (Details) - Senior Notes	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
6.00% Senior Notes, due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	6.00%	6.00%
5.875% Senior Notes, due 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.875%	5.875%
5.125% Senior Notes, due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.125%	5.125%
5.875% Senior Notes, due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.875%	5.875%

Debt - Non-Recourse Debt (Detai

Debt - Non-Recourse Debt (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017AUD	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017AUD	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016AUD	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolver				$ 245,874		$ 515,000
Australian Subsidiaries, Non-Recourse Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			1.40%
Non-Recourse Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Non-recourse debt				573,618		472,207
National Australia Bank Limited | Construction Facility | Non-Recourse Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			2.00%
Northwest Detention Center | Non-Recourse Debt, Northwest Detention Center
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of restricted cash and cash equivalents				8,400
Northwest Detention Center | Non-Recourse Debt, 2011 Revenue Bonds
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount				$ 54,400
Interest rate	5.25%		5.25%	5.25%
Non-recourse debt				$ 36,700
Current portion of non recourse debt				6,700
Fulham | Australian Subsidiaries, Non-Recourse Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Non-recourse debt					AUD 3,600,000	$ 2,600
Interest rate terms			variable rate quoted by certain Australian banks plus 140 basis points
Ravenhall | National Australia Bank Limited | Construction Facility | Non-Recourse Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	AUD 791,000,000		AUD 791,000,000	619,700
Capital contribution from GEO	115,000,000	$ 90,100
Lump sum due at completion	AUD 310,000,000		AUD 310,000,000	243,000
Revolver				$ 550,000

Debt - Guarantees (Details)

Debt - Guarantees (Details) - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2017 £ in Millions, CAD in Millions, AUD in Millions	ZAR	AUDguarantee	USD ($)guarantee	ZARguarantee	CADguarantee	GBP (£)guarantee
Geo Amey
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in South African Custodial Services Pty. Limited	50.00%
Working capital line of credit issued to GEOAmey			$ 16,100,000			£ 12
Note receivable for GEOAmey			$ 3,400,000			£ 2.5
Ravenhall
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Number of letters of guarantee outstanding under separate international facilities relating to performance guarantees | guarantee		10	10	10	10	10
Letters of credit outstanding relating to performance guarantees			$ 15,900,000
Ravenhall | Letter of Credit | Revolver
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Guaranteed obligations		AUD 100	78,300,000
SACS
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Guaranteed obligations			200,000	ZAR 2,400,000
Remaining guarantee under letter of credit | ZAR	ZAR 2,400,000
Maximum loan amount under standby facility			1,500,000	ZAR 20,000,000
Amount funded			$ 0
Canada Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Potential estimated exposure of tax obligations | CAD					CAD 1.4

Commitments, Contingencies an64

Commitments, Contingencies and Other (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)facilitybed	Feb. 08, 2017USD ($)	Oct. 22, 2014detainee
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of current and former civil immigration detainees | detainee			9
Estimate of possible loss	$ 19.6
Estimated construction capital project cost	243.9
Cost already spent on existing capital projects	82.6
Remaining capital required for capital projects	$ 161.3
Number of vacant beds at idle facilities marketed to potential customers | bed	5,400
Number of marketed idle facilities | facility	5
Property and Equipment
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Carrying values of idle facilities marketed to potential customers	$ 137.3
Pending Litigation | Attorney General of Mississippi vs Company, Cornell Companies, Inc., Christopher B Epps And Cecil McCrory
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Contracts disputed		$ 256

Business Segments and Geograp65

Business Segments and Geographic Information - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Operating Income:
Operating income	$ 62,902	$ 72,451	$ 181,827	$ 197,575
Operating Segments
Revenues:
Revenues	566,759	554,376	1,694,443	1,612,911
Operating Income:
Operating income	111,976	109,934	325,693	306,023
Operating Segments | U.S. Corrections & Detention
Revenues:
Revenues	365,071	344,452	1,073,840	1,024,395
Operating Income:
Operating income	77,551	77,865	224,838	220,292
Operating Segments | GEO Care
Revenues:
Revenues	134,610	99,779	377,740	289,722
Operating Income:
Operating income	31,293	30,007	94,062	80,558
Operating Segments | International Services
Revenues:
Revenues	45,641	40,416	130,261	116,468
Operating Income:
Operating income	3,410	1,866	8,413	4,702
Operating Segments | Facility Construction & Design
Revenues:
Revenues	21,437	69,729	112,602	182,326
Operating Income:
Operating income	$ (278)	$ 196	$ (1,620)	$ 471

Business Segments and Geograp66

Business Segments and Geographic Information - Income Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments
Total operating income from segments	$ 62,902	$ 72,451	$ 181,827	$ 197,575
Unallocated Amount:
General and Administrative Expenses	(49,074)	(37,483)	(143,866)	(108,448)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	0	(15,885)
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	38,831	46,951	111,096	106,213
Operating Segments
Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments
Total operating income from segments	111,976	109,934	325,693	306,023
Segment Reconciling Items
Unallocated Amount:
General and Administrative Expenses	(49,074)	(37,483)	(143,866)	(108,448)
Interest Income (Expense), Nonoperating, Net	(24,071)	(25,500)	(70,731)	(75,477)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ (15,885)

Business Segments and Geograp67

Business Segments and Geographic Information - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)segment	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of reportable business segments | segment			4
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	$ 1,342	$ 1,693	$ 4,255	$ 4,943
Investment in affiliate	0		$ 0		$ 0
SACS
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in entity			50.00%
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	1,100	1,100	$ 3,400	2,900
Investment in joint venture	10,400		$ 10,400		11,800
Geo Amey
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in entity			50.00%
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	200	$ 700	$ 800	$ 2,100
Investment in affiliate	2,300		2,300		$ 1,300
Ravenhall, Australia
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Provision for loss on contracts	$ 1,900		$ 1,900

Benefit Plans - Funded Status o

Benefit Plans - Funded Status of Plan (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of period			$ 28,624	$ 25,935	$ 25,935
Service cost	$ 250	$ 249	751	746	995
Interest cost	307	$ 289	921	866	1,155
Actuarial loss			0		1,031
Benefits paid			(426)		(492)
Projected benefit obligation, end of period	29,870		29,870		28,624
Change in Plan Assets
Plan assets at fair value, beginning of period			0	$ 0	0
Company contributions			426		492
Benefits paid			(426)		(492)
Plan assets at fair value, end of period	0		0		0
Unfunded Status of the Plan	$ (29,870)		$ (29,870)		$ (28,624)

Benefit Plans - Components of N

Benefit Plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Service cost	$ 250	$ 249	$ 751	$ 746	$ 995
Interest cost	307	289	921	866	$ 1,155
Net loss	73	53	218	160
Net periodic pension cost	$ 630	$ 591	$ 1,890	$ 1,772

Benefit Plans - Narrative (Deta

Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Long-term portion of the pension liability	$ 29.6	$ 28.3

Recent Accounting Pronounceme71

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Excess tax benefit, amount	$ 1.5

Condensed Consolidating Finan72

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 566,759	$ 554,376	$ 1,694,443	$ 1,612,911
Operating expenses	423,134	415,659	1,276,286	1,221,002
Depreciation and amortization	31,649	28,783	92,464	85,886
General and administrative expenses	49,074	37,483	143,866	108,448
Total operating income from segments	62,902	72,451	181,827	197,575
Interest income	14,648	7,928	38,971	18,387
Interest expense	(38,719)	(33,428)	(109,702)	(93,864)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	0	0	(15,885)
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	38,831	46,951	111,096	106,213
Income tax provision	1,720	4,970	5,590	12,000
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	1,342	1,693	4,255	4,943
Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	38,453	43,674	109,761	99,156
Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision	0	0	0	0
Net income	38,453	43,674	109,761	99,156
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	36	46	123	123
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	38,489	43,720	109,884	99,279
Net income	38,453	43,674	109,761	99,156
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1,625	483	4,761	(2,983)
Total comprehensive income	40,078	44,157	114,522	96,173
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	34	36	119	104
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	40,112	44,193	114,641	96,277
Reportable Legal Entities | The GEO Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Revenues	171,553	173,920	520,986	515,971
Operating expenses	139,165	144,748	406,576	418,261
Depreciation and amortization	6,104	6,339	18,319	18,866
General and administrative expenses	14,699	11,727	43,939	34,548
Total operating income from segments	11,585	11,106	52,152	44,296
Interest income	2,688	4,765	12,793	15,646
Interest expense	(18,148)	(16,324)	(51,391)	(49,031)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt				(15,885)
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	(3,875)	(453)	13,554	(4,974)
Income tax provision	147	(9)	441	(101)
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	(4,022)	(444)	13,113	(4,873)
Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision	42,475	44,118	96,648	104,029
Net income	38,453	43,674	109,761	99,156
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	38,453	43,674	109,761	99,156
Net income	38,453	43,674	109,761	99,156
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income	38,453	43,674	109,761	99,156
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	38,453	43,674	109,761	99,156
Reportable Legal Entities | Combined Subsidiary Guarantors
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Revenues	464,140	410,329	1,342,620	1,215,469
Operating expenses	364,834	314,009	1,076,232	957,704
Depreciation and amortization	24,623	21,502	71,404	64,159
General and administrative expenses	28,066	18,180	78,479	53,396
Total operating income from segments	46,617	56,638	116,505	140,210
Interest income	1,629	422	2,858	1,440
Interest expense	(13,093)	(13,525)	(41,353)	(41,401)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt				0
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	35,153	43,535	78,010	100,249
Income tax provision	811	4,032	3,058	9,323
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	34,342	39,503	74,952	90,926
Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision	0	0	0	0
Net income	34,342	39,503	74,952	90,926
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	34,342	39,503	74,952	90,926
Net income	34,342	39,503	74,952	90,926
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	64	33	175	98
Total comprehensive income	34,406	39,536	75,127	91,024
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	34,406	39,536	75,127	91,024
Reportable Legal Entities | Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Revenues	69,698	112,708	250,618	306,484
Operating expenses	57,767	99,483	213,259	270,050
Depreciation and amortization	922	942	2,741	2,861
General and administrative expenses	6,309	7,576	21,448	20,504
Total operating income from segments	4,700	4,707	13,170	13,069
Interest income	14,871	8,029	39,175	18,699
Interest expense	(12,018)	(8,867)	(32,813)	(20,830)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt				0
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	7,553	3,869	19,532	10,938
Income tax provision	762	947	2,091	2,778
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	1,342	1,693	4,255	4,943
Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	8,133	4,615	21,696	13,103
Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision	0	0	0	0
Net income	8,133	4,615	21,696	13,103
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	36	46	123	123
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	8,169	4,661	21,819	13,226
Net income	8,133	4,615	21,696	13,103
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1,561	450	4,586	(3,081)
Total comprehensive income	9,694	5,065	26,282	10,022
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	34	36	119	104
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	9,728	5,101	26,401	10,126
Eliminations
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Revenues	(138,632)	(142,581)	(419,781)	(425,013)
Operating expenses	(138,632)	(142,581)	(419,781)	(425,013)
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
General and administrative expenses	0	0	0	0
Total operating income from segments	0	0	0	0
Interest income	(4,540)	(5,288)	(15,855)	(17,398)
Interest expense	4,540	5,288	15,855	17,398
Loss on early extinguishment of debt				0
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	0	0	0	0
Income tax provision	0	0	0	0
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision	(42,475)	(44,118)	(96,648)	(104,029)
Net income	(42,475)	(44,118)	(96,648)	(104,029)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	(42,475)	(44,118)	(96,648)	(104,029)
Net income	(42,475)	(44,118)	(96,648)	(104,029)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income	(42,475)	(44,118)	(96,648)	(104,029)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ (42,475)	$ (44,118)	$ (96,648)	$ (104,029)

Condensed Consolidating Finan73

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 51,526	$ 68,038	$ 30,123	$ 59,638
Restricted cash and investments	12,452	17,133
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	386,898	356,255
Contract receivable, current portion	243,531	224,033
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	36,073	32,210
Total current assets	730,480	697,669
Restricted Cash and Investments	31,032	20,848
Property and Equipment, Net	2,055,982	1,897,241
Non-Current Contract Receivable	405,780	219,783
Intercompany Receivable	0	0
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets	31,831	30,039
Goodwill	781,972	615,433
Intangible Assets, Net	261,790	203,884
Investment in Subsidiaries	0	0
Other Non-Current Assets	70,474	64,512
Total Assets	4,369,341	3,749,409
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	91,617	79,637
Accrued payroll and related taxes	48,780	55,260
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	174,321	131,096
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	260,046	238,065
Total current liabilities	574,764	504,058
Intercompany Payable	0	0
Other Non-Current Liabilities	92,804	88,656
Capital Lease Obligations	6,412	7,431
Long-Term Debt	2,157,882	1,935,465
Non-Recourse Debt	323,387	238,842
Commitments & Contingencies and Other
The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	1,214,310	975,056
Noncontrolling interests	(218)	(99)
Total shareholders’ equity	1,214,092	974,957
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	4,369,341	3,749,409
The GEO Group, Inc.
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	6,191	45,566	5,136	37,077
Combined Subsidiary Guarantors
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	13,853	842	0	0
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	31,482	21,630	$ 24,987	$ 22,561
Reportable Legal Entities | The GEO Group, Inc.
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	6,191	45,566
Restricted cash and investments	0	0
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	129,730	139,571
Contract receivable, current portion	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,921	677
Total current assets	138,842	185,814
Restricted Cash and Investments	0	170
Property and Equipment, Net	751,374	735,104
Non-Current Contract Receivable	0	0
Intercompany Receivable	1,128,469	918,527
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets	763	764
Goodwill	79	79
Intangible Assets, Net	0	0
Investment in Subsidiaries	1,332,393	1,238,772
Other Non-Current Assets	12,714	15,011
Total Assets	3,364,634	3,094,241
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	8,573	8,402
Accrued payroll and related taxes	0	0
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	48,090	36,792
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	8,000	3,000
Total current liabilities	64,663	48,194
Intercompany Payable	14,535	133,039
Other Non-Current Liabilities	4,120	2,487
Capital Lease Obligations	0	0
Long-Term Debt	2,067,008	1,935,465
Non-Recourse Debt	0	0
Commitments & Contingencies and Other
The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	1,214,308	975,056
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total shareholders’ equity	1,214,308	975,056
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	3,364,634	3,094,241
Reportable Legal Entities | Combined Subsidiary Guarantors
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	13,853	842
Restricted cash and investments	0	0
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	241,031	200,239
Contract receivable, current portion	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	28,033	24,096
Total current assets	282,917	225,177
Restricted Cash and Investments	24,387	19,742
Property and Equipment, Net	1,213,614	1,078,220
Non-Current Contract Receivable	0	0
Intercompany Receivable	104,226	141,987
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets	19,254	17,918
Goodwill	781,444	614,941
Intangible Assets, Net	261,053	203,138
Investment in Subsidiaries	456,075	453,635
Other Non-Current Assets	118,579	108,434
Total Assets	3,261,549	2,863,192
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	66,848	50,200
Accrued payroll and related taxes	30,190	41,230
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	106,056	83,906
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	1,815	1,700
Total current liabilities	204,909	177,036
Intercompany Payable	1,211,260	920,825
Other Non-Current Liabilities	151,405	144,383
Capital Lease Obligations	6,412	7,431
Long-Term Debt	0	0
Non-Recourse Debt	0	0
Commitments & Contingencies and Other
The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	1,687,563	1,613,517
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total shareholders’ equity	1,687,563	1,613,517
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	3,261,549	2,863,192
Reportable Legal Entities | Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	31,482	21,630
Restricted cash and investments	12,452	17,133
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	16,137	16,445
Contract receivable, current portion	243,531	224,033
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	5,119	7,437
Total current assets	308,721	286,678
Restricted Cash and Investments	6,645	936
Property and Equipment, Net	90,994	83,917
Non-Current Contract Receivable	405,780	219,783
Intercompany Receivable	24,654	27,290
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets	11,814	11,357
Goodwill	449	413
Intangible Assets, Net	737	746
Investment in Subsidiaries	2,191	2,190
Other Non-Current Assets	18,708	20,933
Total Assets	870,693	654,243
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	16,196	21,035
Accrued payroll and related taxes	18,590	14,030
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	20,175	10,398
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	250,231	233,365
Total current liabilities	305,192	278,828
Intercompany Payable	31,554	33,940
Other Non-Current Liabilities	16,806	21,652
Capital Lease Obligations	0	0
Long-Term Debt	90,874	0
Non-Recourse Debt	323,387	238,842
Commitments & Contingencies and Other
The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	103,098	81,080
Noncontrolling interests	(218)	(99)
Total shareholders’ equity	102,880	80,981
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	870,693	654,243
Eliminations
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Restricted cash and investments	0	0
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	0	0
Contract receivable, current portion	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	0
Total current assets	0	0
Restricted Cash and Investments	0	0
Property and Equipment, Net	0	0
Non-Current Contract Receivable	0
Intercompany Receivable	(1,257,349)	(1,087,804)
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Intangible Assets, Net	0	0
Investment in Subsidiaries	(1,790,659)	(1,694,597)
Other Non-Current Assets	(79,527)	(79,866)
Total Assets	(3,127,535)	(2,862,267)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	0	0
Accrued payroll and related taxes	0	0
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	0	0
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	0	0
Total current liabilities	0	0
Intercompany Payable	(1,257,349)	(1,087,804)
Other Non-Current Liabilities	(79,527)	(79,866)
Capital Lease Obligations	0	0
Long-Term Debt	0	0
Non-Recourse Debt	0	0
Commitments & Contingencies and Other
The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	(1,790,659)	(1,694,597)
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total shareholders’ equity	(1,790,659)	(1,694,597)
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$ (3,127,535)	$ (2,862,267)

Condensed Consolidating Finan74

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statement of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 57,828	$ (11,758)
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired	(353,555)	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	856	68
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	86	4,733	$ 4,733
Change in restricted cash and investments	(4,820)	(97,716)
Capital expenditures	(104,130)	(68,015)
Net cash used in investing activities	(461,563)	(160,930)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,324,865	813,077
Payments on long-term debt	(1,093,088)	(775,256)
Payments on non-recourse debt	(68,887)	(1,878)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	123,785	273,087
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(4,122)	(2,336)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	382	338
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under prospectus supplement	275,867	0
Debt issuance costs	(9,470)	(20,490)
Income tax deficiency related to equity compensation	0	(844)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	6,786	2,367
Cash dividends paid	(169,152)	(145,991)
Net cash provided by financing activities	386,966	142,074
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	257	1,099
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(16,512)	(29,515)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	68,038	59,638
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	51,526	30,123	59,638
The GEO Group, Inc.
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	15,473	99,124
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired	(353,555)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	845	68
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	86		4,733
Change in restricted cash and investments	0	(24)
Capital expenditures	(34,679)	(9,879)
Net cash used in investing activities	(387,303)	(5,102)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,324,865	813,077
Payments on long-term debt	(1,093,088)	(775,256)
Payments on non-recourse debt	0	0
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	0	0
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(4,122)	(2,336)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under prospectus supplement	275,867
Debt issuance costs	(8,701)	(16,980)
Income tax deficiency related to equity compensation		(844)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	6,786	2,367
Cash dividends paid	(169,152)	(145,991)
Net cash provided by financing activities	332,455	(125,963)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	0	0
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(39,375)	(31,941)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	45,566	37,077
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	6,191	5,136	37,077
Combined Subsidiary Guarantors
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	79,088	57,187
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0	0
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	0		0
Change in restricted cash and investments	(4,645)	(2,635)
Capital expenditures	(61,432)	(54,552)
Net cash used in investing activities	(66,077)	(57,187)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	0
Payments on long-term debt	0
Payments on non-recourse debt	0	0
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	0	0
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under prospectus supplement	0
Debt issuance costs	0	0
Income tax deficiency related to equity compensation		0
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	0	0
Cash dividends paid		0
Net cash provided by financing activities	0	0
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	0	0
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	13,011	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	842	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	13,853	0	0
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	(36,733)	(168,069)
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	11	0
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	0		0
Change in restricted cash and investments	(175)	(95,057)
Capital expenditures	(8,019)	(3,584)
Net cash used in investing activities	(8,183)	(98,641)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	0
Payments on long-term debt	0	0
Payments on non-recourse debt	(68,887)	(1,878)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	123,785	273,087
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	382	338
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under prospectus supplement
Debt issuance costs	(769)	(3,510)
Income tax deficiency related to equity compensation		0
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	0	0
Cash dividends paid	0	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	54,511	268,037
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	257	1,099
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	9,852	2,426
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	21,630	22,561
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	$ 31,482	$ 24,987	$ 22,561

Condensed Consolidating Finan75

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Narrative (Details)	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of subsidiary owned	100.00%
Senior Notes | 6.00% Senior Notes, due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes bear interest at a rate	6.00%	6.00%
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes bear interest at a rate	5.125%
Senior Notes | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes bear interest at a rate	5.875%	5.875%
Senior Notes | 5.875% Senior Notes, due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes bear interest at a rate	5.875%	5.875%

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Oct. 12, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Nov. 01, 2017
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends declared per share (in US dollars per share)		$ 0.47	$ 0.43	$ 1.41	$ 1.30
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends declared per share (in US dollars per share)	$ 0.47
Assets Of One Of CEC Entities | Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Sale price						$ 5