The GEO Group, Inc. (GEO) 10-Q 8 Nov 18 2018 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Nov. 06, 2018
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, 2018
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		121,796,397

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Total Revenues	$ 583,530	$ 566,759	$ 1,731,956	$ 1,694,443
Operating expenses	434,806	423,134	1,299,312	1,276,286
Depreciation and amortization	31,297	31,649	94,536	92,464
General and administrative expenses	47,647	49,074	136,927	143,866
Operating income	69,780	62,902	201,181	181,827
Interest income	8,428	14,648	26,194	38,971
Interest expense	(37,991)	(38,719)	(110,779)	(109,702)
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	40,217	38,831	116,596	111,096
Provision for income taxes	3,723	1,720	12,193	5,590
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision of $200, $77, $636 and $1,785, respectively	2,735	1,342	7,071	4,255
Net income	39,229	38,453	111,474	109,761
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	60	36	223	123
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 39,289	$ 38,489	$ 111,697	$ 109,884
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	119,681	122,251	120,567	119,356
Diluted (in shares)	120,302	122,887	121,055	120,114
Basic:
Net income per common share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.33	$ 0.31	$ 0.93	$ 0.92
Diluted:
Net income per common share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. - diluted (in dollars per share)	0.33	0.31	0.92	0.91
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.47	$ 1.41	$ 1.41

Consolidated Statements of Op_2

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Income tax provision on equity in earnings of affiliates	$ 200	$ 77	$ 636	$ 1,785

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net income	$ 39,229	$ 38,453	$ 111,474	$ 109,761
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,331)	(179)	(5,882)	2,030
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax provision (benefit) of $(894), $25, $(430) and $76, respectively	(761)	64	(31)	175
Change in fair value of derivative instrument classified as cash flow hedge, net of tax provision of $271, $307, $803 and $451, respectively	1,536	1,740	4,550	2,556
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(556)	1,625	(1,363)	4,761
Total comprehensive income	38,673	40,078	110,111	114,522
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	72	34	247	119
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 38,745	$ 40,112	$ 110,358	$ 114,641

Consolidated Statements of Co_2

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Tax provision on defined benefit pension plans	$ (894)	$ 25	$ (430)	$ 76
Tax provision on loss on derivative instrument classified as a cash flow hedge	$ (271)	$ (307)	$ (803)	$ (451)

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 66,007	$ 81,377
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	54,931	44,932
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,261 and $4,574, respectively	403,610	389,916
Contract receivable, current portion	9,420	18,142
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	37,587	45,342
Total current assets	571,555	579,709
Restricted Cash and Investments	28,939	27,999
Property and Equipment, Net	2,148,005	2,078,123
Assets Held for Sale	2,634	3,915
Non-Current Contract Receivable	384,794	404,309
Deferred Income Tax Assets	26,277	26,277
Goodwill	776,368	778,951
Intangible Assets, Net	237,947	255,339
Other Non-Current Assets	65,820	72,286
Total Assets	4,242,339	4,226,908
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	82,284	92,587
Accrued payroll and related taxes	53,597	71,732
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	197,459	176,324
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	340,143	28,920
Total current liabilities	673,483	369,563
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	8,757	8,757
Other Non-Current Liabilities	89,214	96,702
Capital Lease Obligations	4,954	6,059
Long-Term Debt	2,363,318	2,181,544
Non-Recourse Debt	22,201	365,364
Commitments, Contingencies and Other (Note 13)
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, 124,803,502 and 124,008,303 issued and 121,686,019 and 124,008,303 outstanding, respectively	1,248	1,240
Additional paid-in capital	1,204,982	1,190,906
(Distributions) in excess of earnings/earnings in excess of distributions	(29,018)	31,541
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(25,785)	(24,446)
Treasury stock, 3,117,483 and 0 shares, at cost, respectively	(70,446)	0
Total shareholders’ equity attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	1,080,981	1,199,241
Noncontrolling interests	(569)	(322)
Total shareholders’ equity	1,080,412	1,198,919
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$ 4,242,339	$ 4,226,908

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 4,261	$ 4,574
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	30,000,000	30,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	187,500,000	187,500,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	124,803,502	124,008,303
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	121,686,019	124,008,303
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	3,117,483	0

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 111,474	$ 109,761
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	223	123
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	111,697	109,884
Adjustments to reconcile net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	94,536	92,464
Stock-based compensation	16,351	14,852
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium and other non-cash interest	5,860	11,922
Provision for doubtful accounts	806	1,597
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	(7,071)	(4,255)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint venture	8,710	5,052
(Gain) loss on sale/disposal of property and equipment, net	3,652	2,194
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	(13,955)	5,604
Changes in contract receivable	(3,412)	(163,083)
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	3,049	(18,326)
Net cash provided by operating activities	220,223	57,905
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired	0	(353,555)
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	5,998	86
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	2,061	856
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	3,797	0
Change in restricted investments	(2,413)	(3,810)
Capital expenditures	(161,490)	(104,130)
Net cash used in investing activities	(152,047)	(460,553)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	372,000	1,324,865
Payments on long-term debt	(186,033)	(1,093,088)
Payments on non-recourse debt	(9,636)	(68,887)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	0	123,785
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(4,452)	(4,122)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with public offering	0	275,867
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	404	382
Payment for repurchases of common stock	(70,446)	0
Debt issuance costs	(990)	(9,470)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	1,781	6,786
Cash dividends paid	(172,256)	(169,152)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(69,628)	386,966
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(5,392)	863
Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(6,844)	(14,819)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	133,545	90,357
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	126,701	75,538
Non-cash Investing and Financing activities:
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 4,152	$ 7,526

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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, and provides academic and vocational classes in 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, 2018, the Company’s worldwide operations include the management and/or ownership of approximately 96,000 beds at 136 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 192,000 offenders and pretrial defendants, including approximately 100,000 individuals through an array of technology products including radio frequency, GPS, and alcohol monitoring devices. 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 26, 2018 for the year ended December 31, 2017 . The accompanying December 31, 2017 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, 2017 . 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, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year ending December 31, 2018 , or for any other future interim or annual periods.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	REVENUE RECOGNITION On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of this standard did not result in a significant change to the Company's historical revenue recognition policies and there were no significant adjustments that required a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings upon transition. Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to GEO's customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration GEO expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Sales, value added and other taxes GEO collects concurrent with revenue producing activities and that are subsequently remitted to governmental authorities are excluded from revenues. The guidance distinguishes between goods and services. The definition of services under the guidance includes everything other than goods. As such, in the case of GEO, this guidance views the provision of housing as a service. When a contract includes variable consideration, GEO determines an estimate of the variable consideration and evaluates whether the estimate needs to be constrained; therefore, GEO includes the variable consideration in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Variable consideration estimates are updated at each reporting date. A limited number of GEO's domestic contracts have provisions upon which a small portion of the revenue for the contract is based on the performance of certain targets. Domestically, revenue based on the performance of certain targets is less than 1% of the Company's consolidated domestic revenues and was not significant during the periods presented. One of GEO's international contracts, related to its Ravenhall correctional facility project (discussed further below), contains a provision where a significant portion of the revenue for the contract is based on the performance of certain targets. These performance targets are based on specific criteria to be met over specific periods of time. Such criteria includes the Company's ability to achieve certain contractual benchmarks relative to the quality of service it provides, non-occurrence of certain disruptive events, effectiveness of its quality control programs and its responsiveness to customer requirements. The performance of these targets are measured quarterly and there was no significant constraint on the estimate of such variable consideration for this contract during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. GEO does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which revenue is recognized at the amount to which GEO has the right to invoice for services performed, which is generally the case for all of GEO's contracts. Incidental items that are immaterial in the context of the contract are recognized as expense. GEO generally does not incur incremental costs of obtaining a contract with its customers that would meet the requirement for capitalization. There were no assets recognized from costs to obtain a contract with a customer at September 30, 2018 or December 31, 2017. The timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. GEO records a receivable when services are performed which are due from its customers based on the passage of time. GEO records a contract liability if consideration is received in advance of the performance of services. Generally, GEO's customers do not provide payment in advance of the performance of services. Therefore, any contract liability is not significant at September 30, 2018 or December 31, 2017 and revenue recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 that was included in the opening balance of unearned revenue was not significant. There have been no significant amounts of revenue recorded in the periods presented from performance obligations either wholly or partially satisfied in prior periods. The right to consideration under GEO's contracts is only dependent on the passage of time and is therefore considered to be unconditional. Payment terms and conditions vary by contract type, although, with the exception of the contract receivable related to GEO's Ravenhall correctional facility (further discussed below), terms generally include a requirement of payment within 30 days after performance obligations are satisfied and generally do not include a significant financing component. There have been no significant changes in receivable or unearned revenue balances during the period other than regular invoicing and collection activity. The following table disaggregates GEO's revenue by major source and also provides a reconciliation with revenue information disclosed for reportable segments in Note 14 - Business Segments and Geographic Information: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) U.S. Corrections & Detention GEO Care International Facility Construction and Design Total Owned and Leased: Corrections & Detention $ 817,666 $ — $ — $ — $ 817,666 Owned and Leased: Community-based — 127,615 — — 127,615 Owned and Leased: Youth Services — 68,590 — — 68,590 Managed Only 289,350 3,724 193,121 — 486,195 Facility Construction and Design — — — — — Non-residential Services and Other — 231,890 — — 231,890 Total Revenues $ 1,107,016 $ 431,819 $ 193,121 $ — $ 1,731,956 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) U.S. Corrections & Detention GEO Care International Facility Construction and Design Total Owned and Leased - Corrections & Detention $ 789,230 $ — $ — $ — $ 789,230 Owned and Leased - Community-based — 106,996 — — 106,996 Owned and Leased - Youth Services — 65,408 — — 65,408 Managed Only 284,610 2,278 130,261 — 417,149 Facility Construction and Design — — — 112,602 112,602 Non-residential Services and Other — 203,058 — — 203,058 Total Revenues $ 1,073,840 $ 377,740 $ 130,261 $ 112,602 $ 1,694,443 Owned and Leased - Corrections & Detention GEO recognizes revenue for corrections & detention housing services where GEO owns or leases the facility as services are performed. GEO provides for the safe and secure housing and care of incarcerated individuals under public-private partnerships with federal, state and local government agencies. This includes providing 24-hour care and supervision, including but not limited to, such services as medical, transportation, food service, laundry services and various programming activities. These tasks are considered to be activities to fulfill the safe and secure housing performance obligation and are not considered to be individually separate promises in the contract. Each of these activities is highly interrelated and GEO performs a significant level of integration of these activities. GEO has identified these activities as a bundle of services and determined that each day of the promised service is distinct. The services provided are part of a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and are measured using the same measure of progress (time-based output method). GEO has determined that revenue for these services are recognized over time as it's customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits as the services are performed, which is on a continual daily basis, and GEO has a right to payment for performance completed to date. Time-based output methods of revenue recognition are considered to be a faithful depiction of GEO's efforts to fulfill its obligations under its contracts and therefore reflect the transfer of services to its customers. GEO's customers generally pay for these services based on a net rate per day per individual or on a fixed monthly rate. Owned and Leased - Community-based GEO recognizes revenue for community-based reentry services where GEO owns or leases the facility in a manner similar to its corrections and detention services discussed above. GEO provides individuals nearing the end of their sentence with the resources necessary to productively transition back into society. Through its residential reentry centers, GEO provides federal and state parolees and probationers with temporary housing, rehabilitation, substance abuse counseling and vocational and educational programs. These activities are considered to be a bundle of services which are a part of a series of distinct services recognized over time based on the same criteria as discussed above for corrections and detention revenues. GEO's customers also generally pay for these services based on a net rate per day per individual or on a fixed monthly rate. Owned and Leased - Youth Services GEO recognizes revenues for youth services where GEO owns or leases the facility in the same manner as discussed above for the housing, supervision, care and rehabilitation of troubled youth residents. The activities to house and care for troubled youth residents are also considered to be a bundle of services which are part of a series of distinct services recognized over time based on the same criteria discussed for the previous two revenue streams. GEO's customers generally pay for these services based on a net rate per day per individual. Managed Only GEO recognizes revenue for its managed only contracts in the same manner as its Owned and Leased Corrections & Detention and Owned and Leased Community-based contracts as discussed above. The primary exception is that GEO does not own or lease the facility. The facility is owned by the customer. In certain circumstances, GEO's customers may request that GEO make certain capital improvements to the facility or make other payments related to the facility. These payments are amortized as a reduction of revenues over the life of the contract. GEO's customers generally pay for these services based on a net rate per day per individual or a fixed monthly rate. Facility Construction and Design Facility Construction and Design revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 consisted of one contract with the Department of Justice in the State of Victoria (the “State”) for the development and operation of a new 1,300 -bed correctional facility (the “Facility”) in Ravenhall, a locality near Melbourne, Australia. The Facility was completed during the fourth quarter of 2017 and GEO is currently managing the Facility under a 25 -year management contract. There were no facility construction and design revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. GEO's promise to design and construct the Facility was considered to be a separate and distinct performance obligation from the management obligation which includes the safe and secure housing, care and programming activities for incarcerated individuals similar to the correction & detention services discussed above. For the obligation to manage the Facility, GEO determined revenue should be recorded over time using a time-based output method based on the same criteria as discussed above for correction and detention services. Fees included and priced in the contract for managing the Facility are considered to be stated at their individual estimated stand-alone selling prices using the adjusted market assessment approach. These services are regularly provided by GEO on a stand-alone basis to similar customers within a similar range of amounts. GEO used the expected cost plus margin approach to allocate the transaction price to the construction obligation. GEO was entitled under the contract to receive consideration in the amount of its costs plus a margin. During the design and construction phase, GEO determined that revenue should be recorded over time and applied cost based input methods using the actual costs incurred relative to the total estimated costs (percentage of completion basis) to determine progress towards contract completion and to calculate the corresponding amount of revenue and gross profit to recognize. Cost based input methods of revenue recognition are considered to be a faithful depiction of GEO's efforts to satisfy long-term construction contracts and therefore reflect the transfer of goods to the customer as the customer controls the work in progress as the Facility is constructed. Cost based input methods of revenue recognition also require GEO to make estimates of net contract revenues and costs to complete the project. Significant judgment was required to evaluate the costs to complete the project, including materials, labor, contingencies and other costs. If estimated total costs on the contract are greater than the net contract revenues, the entire estimated loss on the contract is recognized in the period the loss becomes known. The cumulative effect of revisions to estimates related to net contract revenues or costs to complete are recorded in the period in which the revisions to estimates are identified and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. Typically, the Company enters into fixed price contracts and does not perform additional work unless approved change orders are in place. Costs attributable to unapproved change orders are expensed in the period in which the costs are incurred if the Company believes that it is not probable that the costs will be recovered through a change in the contract price. If the Company believes that it is probable that the costs will be recovered through a change in the contract price, costs related to unapproved change orders are expensed in the period in which they are incurred, and contract revenue is recognized to the extent of the costs incurred. Revenue in excess of the costs attributable to unapproved change orders is not recognized until the change order is approved. Changes in job performance, job conditions, and estimated profitability, including those arising from contract penalty provisions, and final contract settlements, may result in revisions to estimated costs and income, and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. For the periods presented, there were no changes in job performance, job conditions and estimated profitability that required a revision to the estimated costs and income recorded. GEO was the primary developer of the project and subcontracted with a bonded international design and build contractor to design and construct the Facility. As the primary contractor for the project, GEO determined that it was primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to develop and provide the Facility to the State, including overall responsibility for the acceptability of the project in meeting the State's specifications. Therefore, GEO was considered to be a principal in the transaction and construction revenues and construction costs were recorded on a gross basis. The cost of the project during the design and construction phase was funded by debt financing along with a capital contribution by GEO which was made in January 2017. GEO's promise to provide the equity contribution was considered to be a separate and distinct performance obligation that is separate from the construction and facility management obligations. The contribution represents a significant financing element which provided a benefit to the State. Costs incurred and estimated earnings in excess of billings are classified as contract receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The contract receivable will be satisfied through a State contribution, which was made in November 2017 upon commercial acceptance of the Facility, and by quarterly payments to be made over the 25 -year operating phase. The timing of these payments provide the State with a significant benefit of financing for the Facility as the payments by the State occur significantly after performance (construction of the Facility). Therefore, the contract receivable has been recorded at net present value based on the timing of expected future settlement. Interest income is calculated using an effective interest rate of 8.97% and has been presented separately from facility design and construction revenue. Interest income also includes an equity return for GEO's capital contribution. Non-residential Services and Other Non-residential Services and Other revenue consists of the Company's contracts with federal and various state and local governments to provide location, alcohol and drug detecting electronic monitoring and case management services to individuals on an as needed or as requested basis. This category also includes the Company's day reporting centers. GEO recognizes revenues for electronic monitoring and case management services as the services are performed. Services provided consist of community-based supervision (home visits), in-person reporting, telephonic reporting and GPS and other electonic monitoring as well as overall contract management services. The rates for the various services are considered to be stated at their individual stand-alone selling prices. GEO has determined that the services to be provided are recognized over time based on the unit of occurrence of the various services as its customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as the services are performed and GEO has a right to payment for performance completed to date. Generally, these services are paid based on a net rate per occurrence and a monthly fee for management services. Certain of the Company's electronic monitoring contracts include providing monitoring equipment and related monitoring services activities (using internal proprietary software platforms) to its customers. These tasks are considered to be activities to fulfill the promise to provide electronic monitoring services to individuals and are not considered to be individually separate promises in the contract. In the context of the contract, the equipment and monitoring service is not considered to be capable of being distinct as the customer typically cannot benefit from the equipment or monitoring service on its own or with other readily available resources. Management has identified these activities as a bundle of services and determined that each day or unit of the promised service is distinct. These services are part of a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and are measured using the same measure of progress (time-based output method) and are therefore accounted for as a single performance obligation. GEO has determined that services are recognized over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as the services are performed and GEO has a right to payment for performance completed to date. Services provided for GEO's day reporting centers are similar to its Owned and Leased Community-based services discussed above with the exception of temporary housing.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combinations	BUSINESS COMBINATIONS Community Education Centers Acquisition On April 5, 2017, the Company completed its acquisition of Community Education Centers ("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. Under the terms of the merger agreement, the Company acquired 100% of the voting interests in CEC for an aggregate consideration of $353.6 million . 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. The allocation of the purchase price was complete as of March 31, 2018. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company made measurement period adjustments 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 payable and accrued expenses. Of the total measurement period adjustments, accounts payable and accrued expenses decreased by $1.0 million related to an accrual for a legal settlement that was funded out of cash held in escrow and by $1.4 million related to a contingency for unclaimed property. The remaining measurement period adjustments were not individually significant. The final purchase price allocation and adjustments made to the estimated acquisition date fair values during the three months ended March 31, 2018 are as follows (in thousands): Acquisition Date Estimated Fair Value as of December 31, 2017 Measurement Period Adjustments Final Acquisition Date Fair Value as of March 31, 2018 Accounts Receivable $ 32,869 $ — $ 32,869 Prepaid and other current assets 4,397 — 4,397 Property and equipment 126,510 — 126,510 Intangible assets 76,000 — 76,000 Favorable lease assets 3,110 — 3,110 Deferred income tax assets 4,116 44 4,160 Other non-current assets 4,327 — 4,327 Total assets acquired $ 251,329 $ 44 $ 251,373 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 51,651 (1,339 ) 50,312 Unfavorable lease liabilities 1,299 — 1,299 Other non-current liabilities 10,479 (1,166 ) 9,313 Total liabilities assumed $ 63,429 $ (2,505 ) $ 60,924 Total identifiable net assets 187,900 2,549 190,449 Goodwill 165,656 (2,549 ) 163,107 Total consideration paid, net of cash acquired $ 353,556 $ — $ 353,556 The Company recognized a reduction of operating expenses of $2.3 million related to CEC during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 as a result of a recovery of funds held in escrow after the measurement period had ended.

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2018 Carrying Value at September 30, 2018 Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) Significant Other Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Assets: Restricted investment: Rabbi Trust $ 23,176 $ — $ 23,176 $ — Fixed income securities 1,871 — 1,871 — Liabilities: Interest rate swap derivatives $ 8,638 $ — $ 8,638 $ — Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017 Carrying Value at December 31, 2017 Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Assets: Restricted investments: Rabbi Trust $ 20,763 $ — $ 20,763 $ — Fixed income securities 1,902 — 1,902 — Liabilities: Interest rate swap derivatives $ 13,992 $ — $ 13,992 $ — The Company’s Level 2 financial instruments included in the tables above as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 consist of interest rate swap derivative liabilities 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 Australian subsidiary’s interest rate swap derivative liabilities 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. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company transferred certain accounts receivable balances that had a carrying value of approximately $6.9 million to an unrelated third party. The transfer was accounted for as a sale and the Company has no continuing involvement with the transferred assets. The Company received cash proceeds in connection with the sale of approximately $6.9 million , and as such, there was no gain or loss in connection with the transaction.

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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 3 - 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, 2017 to September 30, 2018 are as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2017 Acquisition Adjustments Foreign Currency Translation September 30, 2018 U.S. Corrections & Detention $ 317,005 $ (639 ) $ — $ 316,366 GEO Care 461,499 (1,910 ) — 459,589 International Services 447 — (34 ) 413 Total Goodwill $ 778,951 $ (2,549 ) $ (34 ) $ 776,368 The Company has also recorded other finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets as a result of its various business combinations. Refer to Note 3 - 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, 2018 December 31, 2017 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 $ 308,431 $ (122,309 ) $ 186,122 $ 308,518 $ (106,724 ) $ 201,794 Covenants not to compete 1 700 (700 ) — 700 (517 ) 183 Technology 7.3 33,700 (27,075 ) 6,625 33,700 (25,538 ) 8,162 Trade name (Indefinite lived) Indefinite 45,200 — 45,200 45,200 — 45,200 Total acquired intangible assets $ 388,031 $ (150,084 ) $ 237,947 $ 388,118 $ (132,779 ) $ 255,339 Amortization expense was $17.3 million and $18.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, 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, 2018 , the weighted average period before the next contract renewal or extension for the acquired facility management contracts was approximately 1.5 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 2018 through 2022 and thereafter is as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Total Amortization Expense Remainder of 2018 $ 5,647 2019 22,305 2020 22,305 2021 19,782 2022 18,103 Thereafter 104,605 $ 192,747

Fair Value of Assets and Liabil

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands): Estimated Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2018 Carrying Value as of September 30, 2018 Total Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 66,007 $ 66,007 $ 66,007 $ — $ — Restricted cash and investments 60,694 60,694 58,241 2,453 — Liabilities: Borrowings under senior credit facility $ 1,243,919 $ 1,242,560 $ — $ 1,242,560 $ — 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024 250,000 240,523 — 240,523 — 5.125% Senior Notes 300,000 289,731 — 289,731 — 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022 250,000 252,878 — 252,878 — 6.00% Senior Notes 350,000 336,872 — 336,872 — Non-recourse debt 357,506 357,736 — 357,736 — Estimated Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017 Carrying Value as of December 31, 2017 Total Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 81,377 $ 81,377 $ 81,377 $ — $ — Restricted cash and investments 52,168 52,168 49,884 2,284 — Liabilities: Borrowings under senior credit facility $ 1,064,599 $ 1,070,514 $ — $ 1,070,514 $ — 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024 250,000 262,095 — 262,095 — 5.125% Senior Notes 300,000 303,918 — 303,918 — 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022 250,000 258,338 — 258,338 — 6.00% Senior Notes 350,000 362,835 — 362,835 — Non-recourse debt 393,737 394,671 — 394,671 — The fair values of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash approximates the carrying values of these assets at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 . Restricted cash consists of money market funds, bank deposits, commercial paper and time deposits used for asset replacement funds and other funds contractually required to be maintained at the Company's Australian subsidiary. 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") and the Company’s Australian subsidiary are 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.

Restricted Cash and Cash Equiva

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	RESTRICTED CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents reported on the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows: September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 66,007 $ 51,526 Restricted cash and cash equivalents - current 54,931 12,452 Restricted cash and investments - non-current 28,939 31,032 Less Restricted investments - non-current (23,176 ) (19,472 ) Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents shown in the statement of cash flows $ 126,701 $ 75,538 Amounts included in restricted cash and cash equivalents are attributable to certain contractual cash restriction requirements at the Company's wholly owned Australian subsidiary related to non-recourse debt and asset replacement funds contractually required to be maintained and other guarantees. Restricted investments - non-current (included in Restricted Cash and Investments in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets) consists of the Company's rabbi trust established for employee and employer contributions to The GEO Group, Inc. Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan and is not considered to be a restricted cash equivalent. Refer to Note 5 - Financial Instruments.

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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 Distributions/(Distributions) in Excess of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Treasury shares Noncontrolling Total Shareholders' Shares Amount Capital Earnings Loss Shares Amount Interests Equity Balance, January 1, 2018 124,008 $ 1,240 $ 1,190,906 $ 31,541 $ (24,446 ) — $ — $ (322 ) $ 1,198,919 Proceeds from exercise of stock options 97 1 1,780 — — — — — 1,781 Stock-based compensation expense — — 16,351 — — — — — 16,351 Restricted stock granted 905 9 (9 ) — — — — — Restricted stock canceled (52 ) — — — — — — — — Dividends paid — — — (172,256 ) — — — — (172,256 ) Shares withheld for net settlements of share-based awards [1] (173 ) (2 ) (4,450 ) — — — — — (4,452 ) Issuance of common stock - ESPP 18 — 404 — — — — — 404 Repurchases of common stock (3,117 ) — — — — 3,117 (70,446 ) — (70,446 ) Net income (loss) — — — 111,697 — — — (223 ) 111,474 Other comprehensive loss — — — — (1,339 ) — — (24 ) (1,363 ) Balance, September 30, 2018 121,686 $ 1,248 $ 1,204,982 $ (29,018 ) $ (25,785 ) 3,117 $ (70,446 ) $ (569 ) $ 1,080,412 [1] During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company withheld shares through net share settlements to satisfy statutory tax withholding requirements upon vesting of shares of restricted stock held by employees. 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, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017 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 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 October 12, 2017 October 23, 2017 October 30, 2017 $0.47 $58.3 February 5, 2018 February 16, 2018 February 27, 2018 $0.47 $58.3 April 11, 2018 April 23, 2018 May 3, 2018 $0.47 $57.4 July 10, 2018 July 20, 2018 July 27, 2018 $0.47 $57.2 Stock Buyback Program On February14, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a stock buyback program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to a maximum of $200.0 million of its shares of common stock. The stock buyback program will be funded primarily with cash on hand, free cash flow and borrowings under the Company's $900 million revolving credit facility (the "Revolver"). The program is effective through October 20, 2020. The stock buyback program is intended to be implemented through purchases made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, in accordance with applicable Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") requirements. The stock buyback program does not obligate the Company to purchase any specific amount of our common stock and may be suspended or extended at any time at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company purchased 3,117,483 shares of its common stock at a cost of $70.4 million primarily purchased with proceeds from the Company's Revolver. The Company believes it has the ability to continue to fund the stock buyback program, its debt service requirements and its maintenance and growth capital expenditure requirements, while maintaining sufficient liquidity for other corporate purposes. Prospectus Supplement On October 20, 2017, the Company filed with the SEC an automatic shelf registration on Form S-3. Under this 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. On November 9, 2017, in connection with the shelf registration, the Company filed with the SEC 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 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, 2018. 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, 2018 (In thousands) Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. (1) Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax Pension adjustments, net of tax Total Balance, January 1, 2018 $ (7,470 ) $ (11,892 ) $ (5,084 ) $ (24,446 ) Current-period other comprehensive (loss) income (5,858 ) 4,550 (31 ) (1,339 ) Balance, September 30, 2018 $ (13,328 ) $ (7,342 ) $ (5,115 ) $ (25,785 ) (1) The foreign currency translation related to noncontrolling interests was not significant at September 30, 2018 or December 31, 2017 .

Equity Incentive Plans

Equity Incentive Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Equity Incentive Plans	EQUITY INCENTIVE PLANS The Board has adopted The GEO Group, Inc. 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2018 Plan"), which was approved by the Company's shareholders on April 24, 2018. The 2018 Plan replaced the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2014 Plan"). As of the date the 2018 Plan was adopted, it provided for a reserve of 4,600,000 shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to awards granted under the 2018 Plan. The Company filed a Form S-8 registration statement related to the 2018 Plan on May 11, 2018. 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, 2018 , the fair value was estimated using the following assumptions: (i) volatility of 39.69% ; (ii) expected term of 5.0 years; (iii) risk free interest rate of 2.84% ; and (iv) expected dividend yield of 8.70% . A summary of the activity of stock option awards issued and outstanding under Company plans was as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 : Shares Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price Wtd. Avg. Remaining Contractual Term (years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) (in thousands) Options outstanding at January 1, 2018 1,230 $ 25.02 7.33 $ 3,117 Options granted 475 21.60 Options exercised (97 ) 19.13 Options forfeited/canceled/expired (108 ) 25.24 Options outstanding at September 30, 2018 1,500 $ 24.30 7.50 $ 4,849 Options vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2018 1,404 $ 24.31 7.39 $ 4,580 Options exercisable at September 30, 2018 656 $ 23.80 5.93 $ 2,601 On April 24, 2018, the Company granted approximately 475,000 options to certain employees which had a grant date fair value of $3.64 . For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 , the amount of stock-based compensation expense related to stock options was $0.7 million and $1.1 million , respectively. As of September 30, 2018 , the Company had $2.4 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested stock option awards that are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.0 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 historically 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, 2018 : Shares Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value (in thousands) Restricted stock outstanding at January 1, 2018 1,770 $ 30.47 Granted 905 22.70 Vested (577 ) 28.52 Forfeited/canceled (52 ) 25.00 Restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2018 2,046 $ 27.54 During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company granted approximately 905,000 shares of restricted stock to certain employees and executive officers. Of these awards, 352,500 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, 2018 to December 31, 2020 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, 2018 to December 31, 2020. 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 key assumptions: (i) volatility of 44.5% ; (ii) beta of 1.05 ; and (iii) risk free rate of 2.58% . For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 , the Company recognized $15.6 million and $13.8 million , respectively, of compensation expense related to its restricted stock awards. As of September 30, 2018 , the Company had $40.0 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 2.4 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 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, 2018 , 17,751 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, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic earnings per share of common stock is computed by dividing the net income 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, 2018 and 2017 as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Net income $ 39,229 $ 38,453 $ 111,474 $ 109,761 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 60 36 223 123 Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. 39,289 38,489 111,697 109,884 Basic earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.: Weighted average shares outstanding 119,681 122,251 120,567 119,356 Per share amount $ 0.33 $ 0.31 $ 0.93 $ 0.92 Diluted earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.: Weighted average shares outstanding 119,681 122,251 120,567 119,356 Dilutive effect of equity incentive plans 621 636 488 758 Weighted average shares assuming dilution 120,302 122,887 121,055 120,114 Per share amount $ 0.33 $ 0.31 $ 0.92 $ 0.91 Three Months For the three months ended September 30, 2018 , 613,224 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 477,941 common stock equivalents from restricted shares that were anti-dilutive. 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 EPS because the effect would be anti-dilutive. There were 818,400 common stock equivalents from restricted shares that were anti-dilutive. Nine Months For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , 904,375 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 671,149 common stock equivalents from restricted shares that were anti-dilutive. 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.

Derivative Financial Instrument

Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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 - 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 correctional facility project in Ravenhall, a locality near Melbourne, Australia to 4.2% during the project's operating phase. The swaps' notional amounts coincide with outstanding draws under the project. At September 30, 2018 , the swaps had a notional amount of approximately AUD 457 million , or $330.2 million , based on exchange rates at September 30, 2018 . The Company has determined that the swaps have payment, expiration dates, and provisions that coincide with the terms of the non-recourse debt and are therefore considered to be effective cash flow hedges. 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 $4.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 . The total fair value of the swap liability as of September 30, 2018 was $8.6 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).

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	DEBT Debt outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Senior Credit Facility: Term loan $ 788,000 $ 794,000 Unamortized discount on term loan (7,192 ) (3,499 ) Unamortized debt issuance costs on term loan (3,032 ) (7,612 ) Revolver 455,919 270,559 Total Senior Credit Facility 1,233,695 1,053,448 6.00% Senior Notes: Notes Due in 2026 350,000 350,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (4,950 ) (5,325 ) Total 6.00% Senior Notes Due in 2026 345,050 344,675 5.875% Senior Notes: Notes Due in 2024 250,000 250,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (3,078 ) (3,385 ) Total 5.875% Senior Notes Due in 2024 246,922 246,615 5.125% Senior Notes: Notes Due in 2023 300,000 300,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (3,712 ) (4,184 ) Total 5.125% Senior Notes Due in 2023 296,288 295,816 5.875% Senior Notes: Notes Due in 2022 250,000 250,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (2,702 ) (3,241 ) Total 5.875% Senior Notes Due in 2022 247,298 246,759 Non-Recourse Debt 357,692 394,008 Unamortized debt issuance costs on non-recourse debt (5,159 ) (9,322 ) Unamortized discount on non-recourse debt (186 ) (271 ) Total Non-Recourse Debt 352,347 384,415 Capital Lease Obligations 6,412 7,431 Other debt 2,604 2,728 Total debt 2,730,616 2,581,887 Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt (340,143 ) (28,920 ) Capital Lease Obligations, long-term portion (4,954 ) (6,059 ) Non-Recourse Debt, long-term portion (22,201 ) (365,364 ) Long-Term Debt $ 2,363,318 $ 2,181,544 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement On April 30, 2018, GEO entered into Amendment No. 1 to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") by and among the Refinancing Lenders party thereto, the other lenders party thereto, GEO and GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc. and BNP Paribas, as Administrative Agent. The amendment, among other things, provides for the refinancing of all of GEO's existing senior secured term loans with refinancing term loans in the aggregate principal amount of $792.0 million and makes certain other modifications to GEO's senior secured credit agreement. The interest rate applicable to the refinancing term loans is equal to LIBOR plus 2.00% (with a LIBOR floor of 0.75% ). The amendment was considered to be a modification and loan costs of approximately $1.0 million were incurred and capitalized in connection with the transaction. The Credit Agreement evidences a credit facility (the "Credit Facility") consisting of the $792.0 million term loan discussed above (the "Term Loan") bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.00% (with a LIBOR floor of 0.75% ), and a $900.0 million 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 Dollar Letter of Credit Facility (the "Australian LC Facility"). As of September 30, 2018 , 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. 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. GEO Australasia Holdings Pty Ltd, GEO Australasia Finance Holdings Pty Ltd as trustee for the GEO Australasia Finance Holding Trust, and together with GEO Australasia Holdings, collectively ("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 approximately AUD 100 million , or $72.2 million , based on exchange rates in effect as of September 30, 2018 (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 correctional facility 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, 2018 , there was AUD 100 million in letters of credit issued under the Bank Guarantee Facility. As of September 30, 2018 , the Company had approximately $788 million in aggregate borrowings outstanding under the Term Loan, approximately $456 million in borrowings under the Revolver, and approximately $70 million in letters of credit which left approximately $374 million in additional borrowing capacity under the Revolver. The weighted average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2018 was 4.3% . 6.00% Senior Notes due 2026 Interest on the 6.00% Senior Notes 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 at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 6.00% Senior Notes. The indenture contains certain covenants, including limitations and restrictions on the Company and its subsidiary guarantors. Refer to Note 17- 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 17- 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 17- 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 17- 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 is $30.0 million , of which $7.0 million is classified as current in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2018 . The payment of principal and interest on the 2011 Revenue Bonds issued by WEDFA is non-recourse to GEO. The 2011 Revenue Bonds will mature in October 2021 with fixed coupon rates of 5.25% . As of September 30, 2018 , included in current restricted cash and cash equivalents is $8.3 million of funds held in trust for debt service and other reserves with respect to the above mentioned note payable to WEDFA. Australia - Ravenhall In connection with a design and build correctional facility 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 provided for non-recourse funding up to AUD 791.0 million , or approximately $571.5 million , based on exchange rates as of September 30, 2018 . Construction draws were funded throughout the project according to a fixed utilization schedule as defined in the Construction Facility. The term of the Construction Facility is through September 2019 and bears interest at a variable rate quoted by certain Australian banks plus 200 basis points. The project was 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 $83.1 million , based on exchange rates as of September 30, 2018 . The Company has begun negotiations for a refinancing transaction and anticipates completion of the refinancing transaction in the first quarter of 2019. As the Company currently does not yet have a financing agreement in place, the balance has been presented as current in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2018. In accordance with the terms of the Construction Facility, upon completion and commercial acceptance of the correctional facility in the fourth quarter of 2017, in accordance with the contract, the State made a lump sum payment of AUD 310 million , or approximately $224 million , based on exchange rates as of September 30, 2018 , 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, 2018 , approximately $328 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 11 - Derivative Financial Instruments. Guarantees Australia The Company has entered into a guarantee in connection with the operating performance of a facility in Australia. The obligation amounted to approximately AUD 100.0 million , or $72.2 million , based on exchange rates as of September 30, 2018 . The guarantee is secured by outstanding letters of credit under the Company's Revolver as of September 30, 2018 . At September 30, 2018 , the Company also had ten other letters of credit outstanding under separate international facilities relating to performance guarantees of its Australian subsidiary totaling $14.7 million . South Africa In connection with the creation of South African Custodial Services Pty. Limited ("SACS"), the Company had entered into certain guarantees related to the financing, construction and operation of the prison. The Company had guaranteed certain obligations of SACS under its debt agreements to SACS' senior lenders through the issuance of letters of credit under the Company's Revolver. In July 2018, SACS settled all amounts due under the debt facilities and has therefore discharged the guaranteed obligations, therefore the guarantees related to these obligations were no longer necessary and the letters of credit were not renewed. Additionally, SACS is required to maintain funding in a rectification account maintained for the payment of certain costs in the event of contract termination. SACS has met the required funding obligation and there is no further requirement to maintain the required funding amount. In addition to the above, the Company had 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, 2018 , referred to as the shareholder's standby facility, to SACS for the purpose of financing SACS’ obligations under its contract with the South African government. No amounts have been funded under the shareholder's standby facility. The Company’s obligations under the shareholder's standby facility expire upon the earlier of full funding or SACS’s release from its obligations under the common terms agreement. SACS' obligations in terms of the common terms agreements will expire in February 2019 with the final payment of the facility management fees when the Company's obligations under the shareholder's standby facility have expired. The Company had 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 will expire in February 2019 when all SACS obligation in terms of the finance agreements have been settled. 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 had each extended a £12 million line of credit, or $15.6 million , based on exchange rates as of September 30, 2018 , of which £1.3 million , or $1.7 million , based on exchange rates as of September 30, 2018 , was outstanding as of September 30, 2018 to each joint venture partner. The Company's maximum exposure relative to the joint venture is its note receivable of approximately $1.7 million , which is included in Other Non-Current Assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and any future financial support necessary to guarantee performance under the contract. In October 2018, the note receivable to each joint venture partner was paid off in full. 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, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER	COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER Litigation, Claims and Assessments As previously reported and described in our prior periodic reports, including most recently in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, 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, alleging several statutory and common law claims. On July 16, 2018, the Company entered into a negotiated settlement and release agreement and the case was dismissed with no admission of liability by the Company. The negotiated settlement included a monetary payment to the State of Mississippi and such payment did not have a material effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. On October 22, 2014, former civil immigration detainees at the Aurora Immigration Detention Center filed a class action lawsuit against the Company in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado (the “Court”). The complaint alleges that the Company was in violation of the Colorado Minimum Wages of Workers Act and the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act ("TVPA"). The plaintiff class claims that the Company was unjustly enriched as a result of the level of payment 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 the case are authorized by the Federal government under guidelines approved by the United States Congress. On July 6, 2015, the Court found that detainees were not employees under the Colorado Minimum Wage Order and dismissed this claim. In February 2017, the Court granted the plaintiff-class’ motion for class certification which the Company appealed to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. On February 9, 2018, a three-judge panel of the appellate court affirmed the class-certification order. A petition for rehearing en banc was denied on March 7, 2018. On October 2, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the Company’s petition for a writ of certiorari on the class certification order. The plaintiff class seeks actual damages, compensatory damages, exemplary damages, punitive damages, restitution, attorneys’ fees and costs, and such other relief as the Court may deem proper. In the time since the Colorado suit was initially filed, three similar lawsuits have been filed - two in Washington and one in California. In Washington, one of the two lawsuits was filed on September 9, 2017 by immigration detainees against the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. The second was filed on September 20, 2017 by the State Attorney General against the Company in the Superior Court of the State of Washington for Pierce County, which the Company removed to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington on October 9, 2017. In California, a class-action lawsuit was filed on December 19, 2017 by immigration detainees against the Company in the U.S. District Court Eastern Division of the Central District of California. All three lawsuits allege violations of the respective state’s minimum wage laws. However, the California lawsuit, like the Colorado suit, also includes claims based that the Company violated the TVPA and California's equivalent state statute. The Company intends to take all necessary steps to vigorously defend itself and has consistently refuted the allegations and claims in these lawsuits. The Company has not recorded an accrual relating to these matters at this time, as a loss is not considered probable nor reasonably estimable at this stage of the lawsuit. 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. However, the results of these claims or proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, and an unfavorable resolution of one or more of these claims or proceedings could have a material adverse effect on the Company's 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 $229.4 million of which $188.7 million was spent through the first nine months of 2018. The Company estimates the remaining capital requirements related to these capital projects will be $40.7 million which will be spent through 2019. Idle Facilities As of September 30, 2018 , the Company is marketing approximately 4,700 vacant beds at four of its U.S. Corrections & Detention 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 $124.1 million as of September 30, 2018 , 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, 2018 .

Business Segments and Geographi

Business Segments and Geographic Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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, 2018 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Revenues: U.S. Corrections & Detention $ 379,351 $ 365,071 $ 1,107,016 $ 1,073,840 GEO Care 141,808 134,610 431,819 377,740 International Services 62,371 45,641 193,121 130,261 Facility Construction & Design [1] — 21,437 — 112,602 Total revenues $ 583,530 $ 566,759 $ 1,731,956 $ 1,694,443 Operating income (loss) from segments: U.S. Corrections & Detention $ 77,885 $ 77,551 $ 224,386 $ 224,838 GEO Care 35,959 31,293 102,795 94,062 International Services 3,583 3,410 10,927 8,413 Facility Construction & Design [1] — (278 ) — (1,620 ) Operating income from segments $ 117,427 $ 111,976 $ 338,108 $ 325,693 [1] Facility Construction & Design activity related to the Company's Ravenhall correctional facility project which was completed during the fourth quarter of 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, 2018 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Total operating income from segments $ 117,427 $ 111,976 $ 338,108 $ 325,693 Unallocated amounts: General and Administrative Expenses (47,647 ) (49,074 ) (136,927 ) (143,866 ) Net Interest Expense (29,563 ) (24,071 ) (84,585 ) (70,731 ) Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates $ 40,217 $ 38,831 $ 116,596 $ 111,096 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 $2.2 million and $5.9 million in earnings, net of tax, for SACS operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , and $1.1 million and $3.4 million in earnings, net of tax, for SACS operations during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017, 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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Company’s investment in SACS was $12.8 million and $18.1 million , respectively, and represents its share of cumulative reported earnings. The Company has recorded $0.6 million and $1.2 million in earnings, net of tax, for GEO Amey's operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , and $0.2 million and $0.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, 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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Company’s investment in GEOAmey was $3.9 million and $2.7 million , respectively, and represents its share of cumulative reported earnings.

Benefit Plans

Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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, 2018 Year Ended December 31, 2017 Change in Projected Benefit Obligation Projected benefit obligation, beginning of period $ 32,820 $ 28,624 Service cost 900 1,001 Interest cost 931 1,228 Actuarial loss — 2,474 Benefits paid (396 ) (507 ) Projected benefit obligation, end of period $ 34,255 $ 32,820 Change in Plan Assets Plan assets at fair value, beginning of period $ — $ — Company contributions 396 507 Benefits paid (396 ) (507 ) Plan assets at fair value, end of period $ — $ — Unfunded Status of the Plan $ (34,255 ) $ (32,820 ) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Service cost $ 300 $ 250 $ 900 $ 751 Interest cost 310 307 931 921 Net loss 133 73 399 218 Net periodic pension cost $ 743 $ 630 $ 2,230 $ 1,890 The long-term portion of the pension liability as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was $33.9 million and $32.4 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, 2018
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, 2018: In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("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 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 became effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2018 and the Company used the modified retrospective transition method to implement this standard. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Disclosures related to the nature, amount and timing of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers are included in Note 2 - Revenue Recognition. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows,” which clarified the presentation and classification in the statement of cash flows for eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing diversity in practice. These cash flow issues include debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies (including bank-owned life insurance policies), distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions and also addresses separately identified cash flows and the application of the predominance principle. The amendments in ASU No. 2016-15 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The Company elected to apply the cumulative earnings approach to classify distributions received from its equity method investees and determined that the distributions are a return on investment and are therefore classified as cash inflows from operating activities. 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. 2016-16, " 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 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. 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 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash ,” which requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The new standard became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018 and was applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. As a result of the adoption of this standard, the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 has been retrospectively adjusted. Refer to Note 7 - Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents for additional disclosures required under the standard. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, " Business Combinations ," which clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The update provides a screen to determine when an integrated set of assets and activities (collectively referred to as a "set") is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. This screen reduces the number of transactions that need to be further evaluated. If the screen is not met, the amendments in this update (1) require that to be considered a business, a set must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output and (2) remove the evaluation of whether a market participant could replace missing elements. The amendments provide a framework to assist entities in evaluating whether both an input and a substantive process are present. The amendments in this update became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The implementation of this standard did not 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 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this standard did not 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 was effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this standard did not 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 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The amendments in this update should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The adoption 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 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14 " Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Topic 715.20)" as a part of its disclosure framework project. The amendments in this update remove, modify and add certain disclosures primarily related to amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year, explanations for reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period, and projected and accumulated benefit obligations. The new standard is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2021. 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 August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13 " Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)" as a part of its disclosure framework project. The amendments in this update remove, modify and add certain disclosures primarily related to transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, various disclosures related to Level 3 fair value measurements and investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value. The new standard is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2020. 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 June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07 " Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting" as a part of its Simplification Initiative. The amendments in this update expand the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. An entity should apply the requirements of Topic 718 to nonemployee awards except for specific guidance on inputs to an option pricing model and the period of time over which share-based payment awards vest and the pattern of cost recognition over that period. The amendment specify that Topic 718 applies to all share-based payment transactions in which a grantor acquires goods or services to be used or consumed in a grantor's own operations by issuing share-based payment awards. The amendments also clarify that Topic 718 does not apply to share-based payments used to effectively provide (1) financing to the issuer or (2) awards granted in conjunction with selling goods or services to customers as part of a contract accounted for under Topic 606-" Revenue from Contracts with Customers. " 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 February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02 " Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ". The amendments in this update allow an entity to elect to reclassify the income tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on items within accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The new standard is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. 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. I n August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12 " 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. 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 FASB has recently issued several amendments to the standard, including accounting for land easements. 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 July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11 which provides for an optional transition method where an entity initially applies the new lease standard at the adoption date and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. Consequently, an entity's reporting for the comparative periods presented in the financial statements in which it adopts the new lease standard will continue to be in accordance with current generally accepted accounting principles (Topic 940, " Leases "). Alternatively, lessees and lessors can elect to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The Company has elected to apply the new lease standard at the adoption date on January 1, 2019 under the optional transition method as outlined in ASU 2018-11. There are also several practical expedients that entities may elect upon transition relating to short-term leases (twelve-month terms or less), non-lease components, reassessing certain lease decision points for existing leases, using hindsight in determining the lease term and land easements. With regard to these practical expedients, the Company has elected not to apply the recognition requirements to lease arrangements that have terms of twelve months or less. The Company has also elected to not reassess the major lease decision points for existing leases (whether a contract contains a lease, how a lease should be classified and whether previously capitalized initial direct costs meet the new standard definition). 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 as disclosed in Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the SEC did not, or are not expected to, have a material effect on the Company's results of operations or financial position.

Condensed Consolidating Financi

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION As of September 30, 2018 , 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, 2018 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues $ 208,607 $ 479,175 $ 65,028 $ (169,280 ) $ 583,530 Operating expenses 171,038 379,892 53,156 (169,280 ) 434,806 Depreciation and amortization 6,742 23,621 934 — 31,297 General and administrative expenses 16,878 25,568 5,201 — 47,647 Operating income 13,949 50,094 5,737 — 69,780 Interest income 3,415 1,159 8,660 (4,806 ) 8,428 Interest expense (20,765 ) (13,714 ) (8,318 ) 4,806 (37,991 ) Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (3,401 ) 37,539 6,079 — 40,217 Income tax provision 162 2,446 1,115 — 3,723 Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision — — 2,735 — 2,735 Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries (3,563 ) 35,093 7,699 — 39,229 Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision 42,792 — — (42,792 ) — Net income 39,229 35,093 7,699 (42,792 ) 39,229 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 60 — 60 Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 39,229 $ 35,093 $ 7,759 $ (42,792 ) $ 39,289 Net income $ 39,229 $ 35,093 $ 7,699 $ (42,792 ) $ 39,229 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax — (761 ) 205 — (556 ) Total comprehensive income $ 39,229 $ 34,332 $ 7,904 $ (42,792 ) $ 38,673 Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 72 — 72 Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 39,229 $ 34,332 $ 7,976 $ (42,792 ) $ 38,745 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 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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues $ 606,424 $ 1,412,868 $ 201,090 $ (488,426 ) $ 1,731,956 Operating expenses 483,982 1,138,897 164,859 (488,426 ) 1,299,312 Depreciation and amortization 19,766 71,759 3,011 — 94,536 General and administrative expenses 47,499 73,753 15,675 — 136,927 Operating income 55,177 128,459 17,545 — 201,181 Interest income 10,998 4,023 26,951 (15,778 ) 26,194 Interest expense (59,034 ) (42,133 ) (25,390 ) 15,778 (110,779 ) Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates 7,141 90,349 19,106 — 116,596 Income tax provision 1,055 6,188 4,950 — 12,193 Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision — — 7,071 — 7,071 Income before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries 6,086 84,161 21,227 — 111,474 Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision 105,388 — — (105,388 ) — Net income 111,474 84,161 21,227 (105,388 ) 111,474 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 223 — 223 Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 111,474 $ 84,161 $ 21,450 $ (105,388 ) $ 111,697 Net income $ 111,474 $ 84,161 $ 21,227 $ (105,388 ) $ 111,474 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax — (31 ) (1,332 ) — (1,363 ) Total comprehensive income $ 111,474 $ 84,130 $ 19,895 $ (105,388 ) $ 110,111 Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 247 — 247 Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 111,474 $ 84,130 $ 20,142 $ (105,388 ) $ 110,358 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (dollars in thousands) (unaudited) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries 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 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET (dollars in thousands) (unaudited) As of September 30, 2018 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 9,193 $ 18,059 $ 38,755 $ — $ 66,007 Restricted cash and cash equivalents 5,652 — 49,279 — 54,931 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 178,579 187,231 33,695 4,105 403,610 Contract receivable, current portion — — 9,420 — 9,420 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,153 26,183 11,037 (1,786 ) 37,587 Total current assets 195,577 231,473 142,186 2,319 571,555 Restricted Cash and Investments — 23,476 5,463 — 28,939 Property and Equipment, Net 843,558 1,217,597 86,850 — 2,148,005 Non-Current Contract Receivable — — 384,794 — 384,794 Assets Held for Sale 705 1,929 — — 2,634 Intercompany Receivable 980,555 126,525 24,460 (1,131,540 ) — Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets 863 23,913 1,501 — 26,277 Goodwill — 775,955 413 — 776,368 Intangible Assets, Net — 237,345 602 — 237,947 Investment in Subsidiaries 1,516,564 458,229 2,190 (1,976,983 ) — Other Non-Current Assets 8,711 115,759 20,245 (78,895 ) 65,820 Total Assets $ 3,546,533 $ 3,212,201 $ 668,704 $ (3,185,099 ) $ 4,242,339 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Accounts payable $ 11,967 $ 64,568 $ 5,749 $ — $ 82,284 Accrued payroll and related taxes — 33,424 20,173 — 53,597 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 43,371 121,258 30,511 2,319 197,459 Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt 8,000 1,998 330,145 — 340,143 Total current liabilities 63,338 221,248 386,578 2,319 673,483 Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities — — 8,757 — 8,757 Intercompany Payable 118,478 979,528 33,534 (1,131,540 ) — Other Non-Current Liabilities 1,337 157,333 9,439 (78,895 ) 89,214 Capital Lease Obligations — 4,954 — — 4,954 Long-Term Debt 2,282,399 — 80,919 — 2,363,318 Non-Recourse Debt — — 22,201 — 22,201 Commitments & Contingencies and Other Shareholders' Equity: The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity 1,080,981 1,849,138 127,845 (1,976,983 ) 1,080,981 Noncontrolling Interests — — (569 ) — (569 ) Total Shareholders’ Equity 1,080,981 1,849,138 127,276 (1,976,983 ) 1,080,412 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 3,546,533 $ 3,212,201 $ 668,704 $ (3,185,099 ) $ 4,242,339 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET (dollars in thousands) As of December 31, 2017 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 54,666 $ — $ 26,711 $ — $ 81,377 Restricted cash and cash equivalents — — 44,932 — 44,932 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 130,354 225,029 34,533 — 389,916 Contract receivable, current portion — — 18,142 — 18,142 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,589 24,163 18,590 — 45,342 Total current assets 187,609 249,192 142,908 — 579,709 Restricted Cash and Investments — 25,715 2,284 — 27,999 Property and Equipment, Net 777,404 1,209,816 90,903 — 2,078,123 Assets Held for Sale — 3,915 — — 3,915 Non-Current Contract Receivable — — 404,309 404,309 Intercompany Receivable 1,130,189 88,534 28,218 (1,246,941 ) — Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets 863 23,913 1,501 — 26,277 Goodwill — 778,504 447 — 778,951 Intangible Assets, Net — 254,531 808 — 255,339 Investment in Subsidiaries 1,336,665 456,076 2,190 (1,794,931 ) — Other Non-Current Assets 11,141 115,330 25,210 (79,395 ) 72,286 Total Assets $ 3,443,871 $ 3,205,526 $ 698,778 $ (3,121,267 ) $ 4,226,908 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Accounts payable $ 20,643 $ 65,475 $ 6,469 $ — $ 92,587 Accrued payroll and related taxes — 51,780 19,952 — 71,732 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 40,344 115,636 20,344 — 176,324 Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt 8,000 1,870 19,050 — 28,920 Total current liabilities 68,987 234,761 65,815 — 369,563 Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities — — 8,757 — 8,757 Intercompany Payable 79,984 1,129,590 37,367 (1,246,941 ) — Other Non-Current Liabilities 4,674 157,200 14,223 (79,395 ) 96,702 Capital Lease Obligations — 6,059 — — 6,059 Long-Term Debt 2,090,985 — 90,559 — 2,181,544 Non-Recourse Debt — — 365,364 — 365,364 Commitments & Contingencies and Other Shareholders' Equity: The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity 1,199,241 1,677,916 117,015 (1,794,931 ) 1,199,241 Noncontrolling Interests — — (322 ) — (322 ) Total Shareholders’ Equity 1,199,241 1,677,916 116,693 (1,794,931 ) 1,198,919 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 3,443,871 $ 3,205,526 $ 698,778 $ (3,121,267 ) $ 4,226,908 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (dollars in thousands) (unaudited) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Consolidated Cash Flow from Operating Activities: Net cash provided by operating activities $ 112,599 $ 70,040 $ 37,584 $ 220,223 Cash Flow from Investing Activities: Insurance proceeds - damaged property — 5,998 — 5,998 Proceeds from sale of property and equipment — — 2,061 2,061 Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale — 3,797 — 3,797 Change in restricted investments — (2,413 ) — (2,413 ) Capital expenditures (95,461 ) (64,015 ) (2,014 ) (161,490 ) Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (95,461 ) (56,633 ) 47 (152,047 ) Cash Flow from Financing Activities: Proceeds from long-term debt 372,000 — — 372,000 Payments on long-term debt (183,000 ) — (3,033 ) (186,033 ) Payments on non-recourse debt — — (9,636 ) (9,636 ) Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards (4,452 ) — — (4,452 ) Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP 404 — — 404 Payment for repurchases of common stock (70,446 ) — — (70,446 ) Debt issuance costs (990 ) — — (990 ) Proceeds from stock options exercised 1,781 — — 1,781 Dividends paid (172,256 ) — — (172,256 ) Net cash used in financing activities (56,959 ) — (12,669 ) (69,628 ) Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents — — (5,392 ) (5,392 ) Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash. Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (39,821 ) 13,407 19,570 (6,844 ) Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period 54,666 4,952 73,927 133,545 Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period $ 14,845 $ 18,359 $ 93,497 $ 126,701 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 $ 15,303 $ 79,088 $ (36,486 ) $ 57,905 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 investments — (3,810 ) — (3,810 ) Capital expenditures (34,679 ) (61,432 ) (8,019 ) (104,130 ) Cash used in by investing activities (387,303 ) (65,242 ) (8,008 ) (460,553 ) Net cash used in investing activities 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 ) Issuance of common stock under prospectus supplement 275,867 — — 275,867 Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP — — 382 382 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, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents — — 863 863 Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (39,545 ) 13,846 10,880 (14,819 ) Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period 45,736 4,922 39,699 90,357 Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period $ 6,191 $ 18,768 $ 50,579 $ 75,538

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Dividend On October 15, 2018, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.47 per share of common stock which was paid on November 2, 2018 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on October 26, 2018. Hurricane Michael On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael impacted the Florida Panhandle, which resulted in widespread damage to the area. As a result, the Company’s managed-only Bay Correctional Facility was impacted and incurred significant property damage. As a result, inmates housed in that facility have been temporarily re-located to other facilities. The Company is continuing to make a full assessment of the extent of the impact. The Company maintains property and business interruption insurance, subject to certain deductibles, and is currently assessing claims under such policies; however, the timing and amount of insurance proceeds are uncertain and may not be sufficient to cover all losses. Timing differences are likely to exist between the capital expenditures made to repair or restore the property and recognition and receipt of insurance proceeds reflected in our financial statements. The Company expects that its results of operations related to the facility will be adversely impacted in the near term.

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

Revenue Recognition (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue	The following table disaggregates GEO's revenue by major source and also provides a reconciliation with revenue information disclosed for reportable segments in Note 14 - Business Segments and Geographic Information: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) U.S. Corrections & Detention GEO Care International Facility Construction and Design Total Owned and Leased: Corrections & Detention $ 817,666 $ — $ — $ — $ 817,666 Owned and Leased: Community-based — 127,615 — — 127,615 Owned and Leased: Youth Services — 68,590 — — 68,590 Managed Only 289,350 3,724 193,121 — 486,195 Facility Construction and Design — — — — — Non-residential Services and Other — 231,890 — — 231,890 Total Revenues $ 1,107,016 $ 431,819 $ 193,121 $ — $ 1,731,956 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) U.S. Corrections & Detention GEO Care International Facility Construction and Design Total Owned and Leased - Corrections & Detention $ 789,230 $ — $ — $ — $ 789,230 Owned and Leased - Community-based — 106,996 — — 106,996 Owned and Leased - Youth Services — 65,408 — — 65,408 Managed Only 284,610 2,278 130,261 — 417,149 Facility Construction and Design — — — 112,602 112,602 Non-residential Services and Other — 203,058 — — 203,058 Total Revenues $ 1,073,840 $ 377,740 $ 130,261 $ 112,602 $ 1,694,443

Business Combinations (Tables)

Business Combinations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The final purchase price allocation and adjustments made to the estimated acquisition date fair values during the three months ended March 31, 2018 are as follows (in thousands): Acquisition Date Estimated Fair Value as of December 31, 2017 Measurement Period Adjustments Final Acquisition Date Fair Value as of March 31, 2018 Accounts Receivable $ 32,869 $ — $ 32,869 Prepaid and other current assets 4,397 — 4,397 Property and equipment 126,510 — 126,510 Intangible assets 76,000 — 76,000 Favorable lease assets 3,110 — 3,110 Deferred income tax assets 4,116 44 4,160 Other non-current assets 4,327 — 4,327 Total assets acquired $ 251,329 $ 44 $ 251,373 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 51,651 (1,339 ) 50,312 Unfavorable lease liabilities 1,299 — 1,299 Other non-current liabilities 10,479 (1,166 ) 9,313 Total liabilities assumed $ 63,429 $ (2,505 ) $ 60,924 Total identifiable net assets 187,900 2,549 190,449 Goodwill 165,656 (2,549 ) 163,107 Total consideration paid, net of cash acquired $ 353,556 $ — $ 353,556

Financial Instruments (Tables)

Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2018 Carrying Value at September 30, 2018 Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) Significant Other Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Assets: Restricted investment: Rabbi Trust $ 23,176 $ — $ 23,176 $ — Fixed income securities 1,871 — 1,871 — Liabilities: Interest rate swap derivatives $ 8,638 $ — $ 8,638 $ — Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017 Carrying Value at December 31, 2017 Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Assets: Restricted investments: Rabbi Trust $ 20,763 $ — $ 20,763 $ — Fixed income securities 1,902 — 1,902 — Liabilities: Interest rate swap derivatives $ 13,992 $ — $ 13,992 $ —

Goodwill and Other Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of goodwill	Changes in the Company's goodwill balances from December 31, 2017 to September 30, 2018 are as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2017 Acquisition Adjustments Foreign Currency Translation September 30, 2018 U.S. Corrections & Detention $ 317,005 $ (639 ) $ — $ 316,366 GEO Care 461,499 (1,910 ) — 459,589 International Services 447 — (34 ) 413 Total Goodwill $ 778,951 $ (2,549 ) $ (34 ) $ 776,368
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, 2018 December 31, 2017 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 $ 308,431 $ (122,309 ) $ 186,122 $ 308,518 $ (106,724 ) $ 201,794 Covenants not to compete 1 700 (700 ) — 700 (517 ) 183 Technology 7.3 33,700 (27,075 ) 6,625 33,700 (25,538 ) 8,162 Trade name (Indefinite lived) Indefinite 45,200 — 45,200 45,200 — 45,200 Total acquired intangible assets $ 388,031 $ (150,084 ) $ 237,947 $ 388,118 $ (132,779 ) $ 255,339
Estimated amortization expense for the remainder	Estimated amortization expense related to the Company's finite-lived intangible assets for the remainder of 2018 through 2022 and thereafter is as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Total Amortization Expense Remainder of 2018 $ 5,647 2019 22,305 2020 22,305 2021 19,782 2022 18,103 Thereafter 104,605 $ 192,747

Fair Value of Assets and Liab_2

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands): Estimated Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2018 Carrying Value as of September 30, 2018 Total Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 66,007 $ 66,007 $ 66,007 $ — $ — Restricted cash and investments 60,694 60,694 58,241 2,453 — Liabilities: Borrowings under senior credit facility $ 1,243,919 $ 1,242,560 $ — $ 1,242,560 $ — 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024 250,000 240,523 — 240,523 — 5.125% Senior Notes 300,000 289,731 — 289,731 — 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022 250,000 252,878 — 252,878 — 6.00% Senior Notes 350,000 336,872 — 336,872 — Non-recourse debt 357,506 357,736 — 357,736 — Estimated Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017 Carrying Value as of December 31, 2017 Total Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 81,377 $ 81,377 $ 81,377 $ — $ — Restricted cash and investments 52,168 52,168 49,884 2,284 — Liabilities: Borrowings under senior credit facility $ 1,064,599 $ 1,070,514 $ — $ 1,070,514 $ — 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024 250,000 262,095 — 262,095 — 5.125% Senior Notes 300,000 303,918 — 303,918 — 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022 250,000 258,338 — 258,338 — 6.00% Senior Notes 350,000 362,835 — 362,835 — Non-recourse debt 393,737 394,671 — 394,671 —

Restricted Cash and Cash Equi_2

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents reported on the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows: September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 66,007 $ 51,526 Restricted cash and cash equivalents - current 54,931 12,452 Restricted cash and investments - non-current 28,939 31,032 Less Restricted investments - non-current (23,176 ) (19,472 ) Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents shown in the statement of cash flows $ 126,701 $ 75,538

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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 Distributions/(Distributions) in Excess of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Treasury shares Noncontrolling Total Shareholders' Shares Amount Capital Earnings Loss Shares Amount Interests Equity Balance, January 1, 2018 124,008 $ 1,240 $ 1,190,906 $ 31,541 $ (24,446 ) — $ — $ (322 ) $ 1,198,919 Proceeds from exercise of stock options 97 1 1,780 — — — — — 1,781 Stock-based compensation expense — — 16,351 — — — — — 16,351 Restricted stock granted 905 9 (9 ) — — — — — Restricted stock canceled (52 ) — — — — — — — — Dividends paid — — — (172,256 ) — — — — (172,256 ) Shares withheld for net settlements of share-based awards [1] (173 ) (2 ) (4,450 ) — — — — — (4,452 ) Issuance of common stock - ESPP 18 — 404 — — — — — 404 Repurchases of common stock (3,117 ) — — — — 3,117 (70,446 ) — (70,446 ) Net income (loss) — — — 111,697 — — — (223 ) 111,474 Other comprehensive loss — — — — (1,339 ) — — (24 ) (1,363 ) Balance, September 30, 2018 121,686 $ 1,248 $ 1,204,982 $ (29,018 ) $ (25,785 ) 3,117 $ (70,446 ) $ (569 ) $ 1,080,412 [1] During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company withheld shares through net share settlements to satisfy statutory tax withholding requirements upon vesting of shares of restricted stock held by employees.
Dividends declared	During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017 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 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 October 12, 2017 October 23, 2017 October 30, 2017 $0.47 $58.3 February 5, 2018 February 16, 2018 February 27, 2018 $0.47 $58.3 April 11, 2018 April 23, 2018 May 3, 2018 $0.47 $57.4 July 10, 2018 July 20, 2018 July 27, 2018 $0.47 $57.2
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, 2018 (In thousands) Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. (1) Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax Pension adjustments, net of tax Total Balance, January 1, 2018 $ (7,470 ) $ (11,892 ) $ (5,084 ) $ (24,446 ) Current-period other comprehensive (loss) income (5,858 ) 4,550 (31 ) (1,339 ) Balance, September 30, 2018 $ (13,328 ) $ (7,342 ) $ (5,115 ) $ (25,785 ) (1) The foreign currency translation related to noncontrolling interests was not significant at September 30, 2018 or December 31, 2017 .

Equity Incentive Plans (Tables)

Equity Incentive Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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 was as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 : Shares Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price Wtd. Avg. Remaining Contractual Term (years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) (in thousands) Options outstanding at January 1, 2018 1,230 $ 25.02 7.33 $ 3,117 Options granted 475 21.60 Options exercised (97 ) 19.13 Options forfeited/canceled/expired (108 ) 25.24 Options outstanding at September 30, 2018 1,500 $ 24.30 7.50 $ 4,849 Options vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2018 1,404 $ 24.31 7.39 $ 4,580 Options exercisable at September 30, 2018 656 $ 23.80 5.93 $ 2,601
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, 2018 : Shares Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value (in thousands) Restricted stock outstanding at January 1, 2018 1,770 $ 30.47 Granted 905 22.70 Vested (577 ) 28.52 Forfeited/canceled (52 ) 25.00 Restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2018 2,046 $ 27.54

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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, 2018 and 2017 as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Net income $ 39,229 $ 38,453 $ 111,474 $ 109,761 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 60 36 223 123 Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. 39,289 38,489 111,697 109,884 Basic earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.: Weighted average shares outstanding 119,681 122,251 120,567 119,356 Per share amount $ 0.33 $ 0.31 $ 0.93 $ 0.92 Diluted earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.: Weighted average shares outstanding 119,681 122,251 120,567 119,356 Dilutive effect of equity incentive plans 621 636 488 758 Weighted average shares assuming dilution 120,302 122,887 121,055 120,114 Per share amount $ 0.33 $ 0.31 $ 0.92 $ 0.91

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Debt	Debt outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Senior Credit Facility: Term loan $ 788,000 $ 794,000 Unamortized discount on term loan (7,192 ) (3,499 ) Unamortized debt issuance costs on term loan (3,032 ) (7,612 ) Revolver 455,919 270,559 Total Senior Credit Facility 1,233,695 1,053,448 6.00% Senior Notes: Notes Due in 2026 350,000 350,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (4,950 ) (5,325 ) Total 6.00% Senior Notes Due in 2026 345,050 344,675 5.875% Senior Notes: Notes Due in 2024 250,000 250,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (3,078 ) (3,385 ) Total 5.875% Senior Notes Due in 2024 246,922 246,615 5.125% Senior Notes: Notes Due in 2023 300,000 300,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (3,712 ) (4,184 ) Total 5.125% Senior Notes Due in 2023 296,288 295,816 5.875% Senior Notes: Notes Due in 2022 250,000 250,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (2,702 ) (3,241 ) Total 5.875% Senior Notes Due in 2022 247,298 246,759 Non-Recourse Debt 357,692 394,008 Unamortized debt issuance costs on non-recourse debt (5,159 ) (9,322 ) Unamortized discount on non-recourse debt (186 ) (271 ) Total Non-Recourse Debt 352,347 384,415 Capital Lease Obligations 6,412 7,431 Other debt 2,604 2,728 Total debt 2,730,616 2,581,887 Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt (340,143 ) (28,920 ) Capital Lease Obligations, long-term portion (4,954 ) (6,059 ) Non-Recourse Debt, long-term portion (22,201 ) (365,364 ) Long-Term Debt $ 2,363,318 $ 2,181,544

Business Segments and Geograp_2

Business Segments and Geographic Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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, 2018 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Revenues: U.S. Corrections & Detention $ 379,351 $ 365,071 $ 1,107,016 $ 1,073,840 GEO Care 141,808 134,610 431,819 377,740 International Services 62,371 45,641 193,121 130,261 Facility Construction & Design [1] — 21,437 — 112,602 Total revenues $ 583,530 $ 566,759 $ 1,731,956 $ 1,694,443 Operating income (loss) from segments: U.S. Corrections & Detention $ 77,885 $ 77,551 $ 224,386 $ 224,838 GEO Care 35,959 31,293 102,795 94,062 International Services 3,583 3,410 10,927 8,413 Facility Construction & Design [1] — (278 ) — (1,620 ) Operating income from segments $ 117,427 $ 111,976 $ 338,108 $ 325,693 [1] Facility Construction & Design activity related to the Company's Ravenhall correctional facility project which was completed during the fourth quarter of 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, 2018 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Total operating income from segments $ 117,427 $ 111,976 $ 338,108 $ 325,693 Unallocated amounts: General and Administrative Expenses (47,647 ) (49,074 ) (136,927 ) (143,866 ) Net Interest Expense (29,563 ) (24,071 ) (84,585 ) (70,731 ) Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates $ 40,217 $ 38,831 $ 116,596 $ 111,096

Benefit Plans (Tables)

Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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, 2018 Year Ended December 31, 2017 Change in Projected Benefit Obligation Projected benefit obligation, beginning of period $ 32,820 $ 28,624 Service cost 900 1,001 Interest cost 931 1,228 Actuarial loss — 2,474 Benefits paid (396 ) (507 ) Projected benefit obligation, end of period $ 34,255 $ 32,820 Change in Plan Assets Plan assets at fair value, beginning of period $ — $ — Company contributions 396 507 Benefits paid (396 ) (507 ) Plan assets at fair value, end of period $ — $ — Unfunded Status of the Plan $ (34,255 ) $ (32,820 )
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Service cost $ 300 $ 250 $ 900 $ 751 Interest cost 310 307 931 921 Net loss 133 73 399 218 Net periodic pension cost $ 743 $ 630 $ 2,230 $ 1,890

Condensed Consolidating Finan_2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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, 2018 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues $ 208,607 $ 479,175 $ 65,028 $ (169,280 ) $ 583,530 Operating expenses 171,038 379,892 53,156 (169,280 ) 434,806 Depreciation and amortization 6,742 23,621 934 — 31,297 General and administrative expenses 16,878 25,568 5,201 — 47,647 Operating income 13,949 50,094 5,737 — 69,780 Interest income 3,415 1,159 8,660 (4,806 ) 8,428 Interest expense (20,765 ) (13,714 ) (8,318 ) 4,806 (37,991 ) Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (3,401 ) 37,539 6,079 — 40,217 Income tax provision 162 2,446 1,115 — 3,723 Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision — — 2,735 — 2,735 Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries (3,563 ) 35,093 7,699 — 39,229 Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision 42,792 — — (42,792 ) — Net income 39,229 35,093 7,699 (42,792 ) 39,229 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 60 — 60 Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 39,229 $ 35,093 $ 7,759 $ (42,792 ) $ 39,289 Net income $ 39,229 $ 35,093 $ 7,699 $ (42,792 ) $ 39,229 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax — (761 ) 205 — (556 ) Total comprehensive income $ 39,229 $ 34,332 $ 7,904 $ (42,792 ) $ 38,673 Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 72 — 72 Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 39,229 $ 34,332 $ 7,976 $ (42,792 ) $ 38,745 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 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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues $ 606,424 $ 1,412,868 $ 201,090 $ (488,426 ) $ 1,731,956 Operating expenses 483,982 1,138,897 164,859 (488,426 ) 1,299,312 Depreciation and amortization 19,766 71,759 3,011 — 94,536 General and administrative expenses 47,499 73,753 15,675 — 136,927 Operating income 55,177 128,459 17,545 — 201,181 Interest income 10,998 4,023 26,951 (15,778 ) 26,194 Interest expense (59,034 ) (42,133 ) (25,390 ) 15,778 (110,779 ) Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates 7,141 90,349 19,106 — 116,596 Income tax provision 1,055 6,188 4,950 — 12,193 Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision — — 7,071 — 7,071 Income before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries 6,086 84,161 21,227 — 111,474 Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision 105,388 — — (105,388 ) — Net income 111,474 84,161 21,227 (105,388 ) 111,474 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 223 — 223 Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 111,474 $ 84,161 $ 21,450 $ (105,388 ) $ 111,697 Net income $ 111,474 $ 84,161 $ 21,227 $ (105,388 ) $ 111,474 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax — (31 ) (1,332 ) — (1,363 ) Total comprehensive income $ 111,474 $ 84,130 $ 19,895 $ (105,388 ) $ 110,111 Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 247 — 247 Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. $ 111,474 $ 84,130 $ 20,142 $ (105,388 ) $ 110,358 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (dollars in thousands) (unaudited) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries 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
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET (dollars in thousands) (unaudited) As of September 30, 2018 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 9,193 $ 18,059 $ 38,755 $ — $ 66,007 Restricted cash and cash equivalents 5,652 — 49,279 — 54,931 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 178,579 187,231 33,695 4,105 403,610 Contract receivable, current portion — — 9,420 — 9,420 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,153 26,183 11,037 (1,786 ) 37,587 Total current assets 195,577 231,473 142,186 2,319 571,555 Restricted Cash and Investments — 23,476 5,463 — 28,939 Property and Equipment, Net 843,558 1,217,597 86,850 — 2,148,005 Non-Current Contract Receivable — — 384,794 — 384,794 Assets Held for Sale 705 1,929 — — 2,634 Intercompany Receivable 980,555 126,525 24,460 (1,131,540 ) — Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets 863 23,913 1,501 — 26,277 Goodwill — 775,955 413 — 776,368 Intangible Assets, Net — 237,345 602 — 237,947 Investment in Subsidiaries 1,516,564 458,229 2,190 (1,976,983 ) — Other Non-Current Assets 8,711 115,759 20,245 (78,895 ) 65,820 Total Assets $ 3,546,533 $ 3,212,201 $ 668,704 $ (3,185,099 ) $ 4,242,339 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Accounts payable $ 11,967 $ 64,568 $ 5,749 $ — $ 82,284 Accrued payroll and related taxes — 33,424 20,173 — 53,597 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 43,371 121,258 30,511 2,319 197,459 Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt 8,000 1,998 330,145 — 340,143 Total current liabilities 63,338 221,248 386,578 2,319 673,483 Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities — — 8,757 — 8,757 Intercompany Payable 118,478 979,528 33,534 (1,131,540 ) — Other Non-Current Liabilities 1,337 157,333 9,439 (78,895 ) 89,214 Capital Lease Obligations — 4,954 — — 4,954 Long-Term Debt 2,282,399 — 80,919 — 2,363,318 Non-Recourse Debt — — 22,201 — 22,201 Commitments & Contingencies and Other Shareholders' Equity: The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity 1,080,981 1,849,138 127,845 (1,976,983 ) 1,080,981 Noncontrolling Interests — — (569 ) — (569 ) Total Shareholders’ Equity 1,080,981 1,849,138 127,276 (1,976,983 ) 1,080,412 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 3,546,533 $ 3,212,201 $ 668,704 $ (3,185,099 ) $ 4,242,339 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET (dollars in thousands) As of December 31, 2017 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 54,666 $ — $ 26,711 $ — $ 81,377 Restricted cash and cash equivalents — — 44,932 — 44,932 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 130,354 225,029 34,533 — 389,916 Contract receivable, current portion — — 18,142 — 18,142 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,589 24,163 18,590 — 45,342 Total current assets 187,609 249,192 142,908 — 579,709 Restricted Cash and Investments — 25,715 2,284 — 27,999 Property and Equipment, Net 777,404 1,209,816 90,903 — 2,078,123 Assets Held for Sale — 3,915 — — 3,915 Non-Current Contract Receivable — — 404,309 404,309 Intercompany Receivable 1,130,189 88,534 28,218 (1,246,941 ) — Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets 863 23,913 1,501 — 26,277 Goodwill — 778,504 447 — 778,951 Intangible Assets, Net — 254,531 808 — 255,339 Investment in Subsidiaries 1,336,665 456,076 2,190 (1,794,931 ) — Other Non-Current Assets 11,141 115,330 25,210 (79,395 ) 72,286 Total Assets $ 3,443,871 $ 3,205,526 $ 698,778 $ (3,121,267 ) $ 4,226,908 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Accounts payable $ 20,643 $ 65,475 $ 6,469 $ — $ 92,587 Accrued payroll and related taxes — 51,780 19,952 — 71,732 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 40,344 115,636 20,344 — 176,324 Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt 8,000 1,870 19,050 — 28,920 Total current liabilities 68,987 234,761 65,815 — 369,563 Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities — — 8,757 — 8,757 Intercompany Payable 79,984 1,129,590 37,367 (1,246,941 ) — Other Non-Current Liabilities 4,674 157,200 14,223 (79,395 ) 96,702 Capital Lease Obligations — 6,059 — — 6,059 Long-Term Debt 2,090,985 — 90,559 — 2,181,544 Non-Recourse Debt — — 365,364 — 365,364 Commitments & Contingencies and Other Shareholders' Equity: The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity 1,199,241 1,677,916 117,015 (1,794,931 ) 1,199,241 Noncontrolling Interests — — (322 ) — (322 ) Total Shareholders’ Equity 1,199,241 1,677,916 116,693 (1,794,931 ) 1,198,919 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 3,443,871 $ 3,205,526 $ 698,778 $ (3,121,267 ) $ 4,226,908
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (dollars in thousands) (unaudited) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 The GEO Group, Inc. Combined Subsidiary Guarantors Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Consolidated Cash Flow from Operating Activities: Net cash provided by operating activities $ 112,599 $ 70,040 $ 37,584 $ 220,223 Cash Flow from Investing Activities: Insurance proceeds - damaged property — 5,998 — 5,998 Proceeds from sale of property and equipment — — 2,061 2,061 Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale — 3,797 — 3,797 Change in restricted investments — (2,413 ) — (2,413 ) Capital expenditures (95,461 ) (64,015 ) (2,014 ) (161,490 ) Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (95,461 ) (56,633 ) 47 (152,047 ) Cash Flow from Financing Activities: Proceeds from long-term debt 372,000 — — 372,000 Payments on long-term debt (183,000 ) — (3,033 ) (186,033 ) Payments on non-recourse debt — — (9,636 ) (9,636 ) Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards (4,452 ) — — (4,452 ) Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP 404 — — 404 Payment for repurchases of common stock (70,446 ) — — (70,446 ) Debt issuance costs (990 ) — — (990 ) Proceeds from stock options exercised 1,781 — — 1,781 Dividends paid (172,256 ) — — (172,256 ) Net cash used in financing activities (56,959 ) — (12,669 ) (69,628 ) Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents — — (5,392 ) (5,392 ) Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash. Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (39,821 ) 13,407 19,570 (6,844 ) Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period 54,666 4,952 73,927 133,545 Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period $ 14,845 $ 18,359 $ 93,497 $ 126,701 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 $ 15,303 $ 79,088 $ (36,486 ) $ 57,905 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 investments — (3,810 ) — (3,810 ) Capital expenditures (34,679 ) (61,432 ) (8,019 ) (104,130 ) Cash used in by investing activities (387,303 ) (65,242 ) (8,008 ) (460,553 ) Net cash used in investing activities 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 ) Issuance of common stock under prospectus supplement 275,867 — — 275,867 Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP — — 382 382 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, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents — — 863 863 Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (39,545 ) 13,846 10,880 (14,819 ) Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period 45,736 4,922 39,699 90,357 Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period $ 6,191 $ 18,768 $ 50,579 $ 75,538

Basis of Presentation (Details)

Basis of Presentation (Details) person in Thousands, detainee in Thousands, bed in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018personfacilitydetaineebed
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of beds | bed	96
Correctional, detention and residential treatment facilities including projects under development | facility	136
Provision of monitoring services tracking offenders (more than) | person	192
Provision of monitoring services tracking offenders using technology products (in detainees) | detainee	100

Revenue Recognition (Details)

Revenue Recognition (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)bedcontract
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Domestic performance based revenues percent of consolidated domestic revenues (less than 1%)			1.00%
Performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period			P1Y
Performance obligation, payment required, period			30 days
Total Revenues	$ 583,530,000	$ 566,759,000	$ 1,731,956,000	$ 1,694,443,000
Owned and Leased: Corrections & Detention
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			817,666,000	789,230,000
Owned and Leased: Community-based
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			127,615,000	106,996,000
Owned and Leased: Youth Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			68,590,000	65,408,000
Managed Only
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			486,195,000	417,149,000
Facility Construction and Design
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			$ 0	112,602,000
Interest income, effective interest rate			8.97%
Non-residential Services and Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			$ 231,890,000	203,058,000
U.S. Corrections & Detention
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			1,107,016,000	1,073,840,000
U.S. Corrections & Detention | Owned and Leased: Corrections & Detention
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			817,666,000	789,230,000
U.S. Corrections & Detention | Owned and Leased: Community-based
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			0	0
U.S. Corrections & Detention | Owned and Leased: Youth Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			0	0
U.S. Corrections & Detention | Managed Only
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			289,350,000	284,610,000
U.S. Corrections & Detention | Facility Construction and Design
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			0	0
U.S. Corrections & Detention | Non-residential Services and Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			0	0
GEO Care
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			431,819,000	377,740,000
GEO Care | Owned and Leased: Corrections & Detention
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			0	0
GEO Care | Owned and Leased: Community-based
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			127,615,000	106,996,000
GEO Care | Owned and Leased: Youth Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			68,590,000	65,408,000
GEO Care | Managed Only
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			3,724,000	2,278,000
GEO Care | Facility Construction and Design
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			0	0
GEO Care | Non-residential Services and Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			231,890,000	203,058,000
International Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			193,121,000	130,261,000
International Services | Owned and Leased: Corrections & Detention
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			0	0
International Services | Owned and Leased: Community-based
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			0	0
International Services | Owned and Leased: Youth Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			0	0
International Services | Managed Only
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			193,121,000	130,261,000
International Services | Facility Construction and Design
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			0	0
International Services | Non-residential Services and Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			0	0
Facility Construction and Design
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			0	112,602,000
Facility Construction and Design | Owned and Leased: Corrections & Detention
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			0	0
Facility Construction and Design | Owned and Leased: Community-based
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			0	0
Facility Construction and Design | Owned and Leased: Youth Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			0	0
Facility Construction and Design | Managed Only
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			0	0
Facility Construction and Design | Facility Construction and Design
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			0	112,602,000
Facility Construction and Design | Non-residential Services and Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			0	$ 0
Department Of Justice, State Of Victoria | Facility Construction and Design
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues			$ 0
Number of contracts | contract				1
Number of beds in detention facility | bed				1,300
Contract term			25 years	25 years

Business Combinations - Narrati

Business Combinations - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 05, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired				$ 0	$ 353,555
Community Education Centers
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of voting interests acquired	100.00%
Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired	$ 353,600
Measurement period adjustment			$ 1,000
Measurement period adjustment, valuation of an unfavorable contract liability			$ 1,400
Reduction in operating expenses		$ 2,300

Business Combinations - Assets

Business Combinations - Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 776,368	$ 778,951
Community Education Centers
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable	$ 32,869		32,869
Prepaid and other current assets	4,397		4,397
Property and equipment	126,510		126,510
Intangible assets	76,000		76,000
Favorable lease assets	3,110		3,110
Deferred income tax assets	4,160		4,116
Other non-current assets	4,327		4,327
Total assets acquired	251,373		251,329
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	50,312		51,651
Unfavorable lease liabilities	1,299		1,299
Other non-current liabilities	9,313		10,479
Total liabilities assumed	60,924		63,429
Total identifiable net assets	190,449		187,900
Goodwill	163,107		165,656
Total consideration paid, net of cash acquired	353,556		$ 353,556
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustments [Abstract]
Measurement Period Adjustments, Accounts Receivable	0
Measurement Period Adjustments, Prepaid and other current assets	0
Measurement Period Adjustments, Deferred income tax assets	44
Measurement Period Adjustments, Total assets acquired	44
Measurement Period Adjustments, Accounts payable and accrued	(1,339)
Measurement Period Adjustments, Other non-current liabilities	(1,166)
Measurement Period Adjustments, Total liabilities assumed	(2,505)
Measurement Period Adjustments, Total identifiable net assets	2,549
Measurement Period Adjustments, Goodwill	(2,549)
Measurement Period Adjustments, Total consideration paid, net of cash acquired	$ 0

Financial Instruments (Details)

Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Liabilities:
Accounts receivable, transferred to third party	$ 6,900
Proceeds from sale of receivables	6,900
Recurring
Restricted investment:
Rabbi Trust	23,176	$ 20,763
Fixed income securities	1,871	1,902
Recurring | Interest rate swap derivatives
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap derivatives	8,638	13,992
Recurring | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Restricted investment:
Rabbi Trust	0	0
Fixed income securities	0	0
Recurring | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Interest rate swap derivatives
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap derivatives	0	0
Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Restricted investment:
Rabbi Trust	23,176	20,763
Fixed income securities	1,871	1,902
Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Interest rate swap derivatives
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap derivatives	8,638	13,992
Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Restricted investment:
Rabbi Trust	0	0
Fixed income securities	0	0
Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Interest rate swap derivatives
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap derivatives	$ 0	$ 0

Goodwill and Other Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	$ 778,951
Acquisition Adjustments	(2,549)
Foreign Currency Translation	(34)
Goodwill, end of period	776,368
U.S. Corrections & Detention
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	317,005
Acquisition Adjustments	(639)
Foreign Currency Translation	0
Goodwill, end of period	316,366
GEO Care
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	461,499
Acquisition Adjustments	(1,910)
Foreign Currency Translation	0
Goodwill, end of period	459,589
International Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	447
Acquisition Adjustments	0
Foreign Currency Translation	(34)
Goodwill, end of period	$ 413

Goodwill and Other Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule of Finite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated Amortization	$ (150,084)	$ (132,779)
Net Carrying Amount	192,747
Gross carrying amount	388,031	388,118
Total acquired intangible assets	237,947	255,339
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
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 308,431	308,518
Accumulated Amortization	(122,309)	(106,724)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 186,122	201,794
Covenants not to compete
Schedule of Finite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Useful Life	1 year
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 700	700
Accumulated Amortization	(700)	(517)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 0	183
Technology
Schedule of Finite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Useful Life	7 years 3 months
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 33,700	33,700
Accumulated Amortization	(27,075)	(25,538)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 6,625	$ 8,162

Goodwill and Other Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Estimated Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Estimated amortization expense for the remainder
Remainder of 2018	$ 5,647
2,019	22,305
2,020	22,305
2,021	19,782
2,022	18,103
Thereafter	104,605
Net Carrying Amount	$ 192,747

Goodwill and Other Intangible_6

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 17.3	$ 18.1
Facility management contracts
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average period	1 year 5 months 24 days

Fair Value of Assets and Liab_3

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities - Carrying Values and Fair Values (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 66,007	$ 81,377	$ 51,526
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	66,007	81,377
Restricted cash and investments	60,694	52,168
Liabilities:
Borrowings under senior credit facility	1,243,919	1,064,599
Non-recourse debt	357,506	393,737
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
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	66,007	81,377
Restricted cash and investments	60,694	52,168
Liabilities:
Borrowings under senior credit facility	1,242,560	1,070,514
Non-recourse debt	357,736	394,671
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024
Liabilities:
Senior notes	240,523	262,095
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 5.125% Senior Notes
Liabilities:
Senior notes	289,731	303,918
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022
Liabilities:
Senior notes	252,878	258,338
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 6.00% Senior Notes
Liabilities:
Senior notes	336,872	362,835
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 1
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	66,007	81,377
Restricted cash and investments	58,241	49,884
Liabilities:
Borrowings under senior credit facility	0	0
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 2
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Restricted cash and investments	2,453	2,284
Liabilities:
Borrowings under senior credit facility	1,242,560	1,070,514
Non-recourse debt	357,736	394,671
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 2 | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024
Liabilities:
Senior notes	240,523	262,095
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 2 | 5.125% Senior Notes
Liabilities:
Senior notes	289,731	303,918
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 2 | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022
Liabilities:
Senior notes	252,878	258,338
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Level 2 | 6.00% Senior Notes
Liabilities:
Senior notes	336,872	362,835
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
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

Fair Value of Assets and Liab_4

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities - Narrative (Details) - Senior Notes	Sep. 30, 2018
5.875% Senior Notes, due 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.875%
5.125% Senior Notes, due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.125%
5.875% Senior Notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.875%
6.00% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	6.00%

Restricted Cash and Cash Equi_3

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 66,007	$ 81,377	$ 51,526
Restricted cash and cash equivalents - current	54,931		12,452
Restricted cash and investments - non-current	28,939		31,032
Less Restricted investments - non-current	(23,176)		(19,472)
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents shown in the statement of cash flows	$ 126,701	$ 133,545	$ 75,538	$ 90,357

Shareholders' Equity (Details)

Shareholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance			$ 1,198,919
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			$ 1,781
Proceeds from exercise of stock options (shares)			97
Stock-based compensation expense			$ 16,351
Restricted stock granted			0
Restricted stock canceled			0
Dividends paid			(172,256)
Shares withheld for net settlements of share-based awards			(4,452)
Issuance of common stock - ESPP			404
Repurchases of common stock			(70,446)
Net income (loss)	$ 39,229	$ 38,453	111,474	$ 109,761
Other comprehensive loss	(556)	$ 1,625	(1,363)	$ 4,761
Ending Balance	1,080,412		1,080,412
Common shares
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance			$ 1,240
Beginning Balance, shares			124,008
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			$ 1
Proceeds from exercise of stock options (shares)			97
Restricted stock granted			$ 9
Restricted stock granted (shares)			905
Restricted stock canceled			$ 0
Restricted stock canceled (shares)			(52)
Shares withheld for net settlements of share-based awards			$ (2)
Shares withheld for net settlements of share-based awards (shares)			(173)
Issuance of common stock - ESPP (shares)			18
Repurchases of common stock (shares)			(3,117)
Ending Balance	$ 1,248		$ 1,248
Ending Balance, shares	121,686		121,686
Additional Paid-In Capital
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance			$ 1,190,906
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			1,780
Stock-based compensation expense			16,351
Restricted stock granted			(9)
Shares withheld for net settlements of share-based awards			(4,450)
Issuance of common stock - ESPP			404
Ending Balance	$ 1,204,982		1,204,982
Earnings in Excess of Distributions
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance			31,541
Dividends paid			(172,256)
Net income (loss)			111,697
Ending Balance	(29,018)		(29,018)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance			(24,446)
Other comprehensive loss			(1,339)
Ending Balance	(25,785)		(25,785)
Treasury shares
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance			$ 0
Beginning Balance, shares			0
Repurchases of common stock			$ (70,446)
Repurchases of common stock (shares)			3,117
Ending Balance	$ (70,446)		$ (70,446)
Ending Balance, shares	3,117		3,117
Noncontrolling Interests
Changes in shareholders' equity that are attributable to the Company's shareholders and to non controlling interests
Beginning Balance			$ (322)
Net income (loss)			(223)
Other comprehensive loss			(24)
Ending Balance	$ (569)		$ (569)

Shareholders' Equity - Dividend

Shareholders' Equity - Dividends Declared (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Jul. 10, 2018	Apr. 11, 2018	Feb. 05, 2018	Oct. 12, 2017	Jul. 10, 2017	Apr. 25, 2017	Feb. 06, 2017
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	$ 0.47	$ 0.47	$ 0.47	$ 0.47
Aggregate Payment Amount		$ 57.2	$ 57.4	$ 58.3	$ 58.3	$ 58.3	$ 58.4	$ 52.5

Shareholders' Equity - Stock Bu

Shareholders' Equity - Stock Buyback Program and Prospectus Supplement (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018	Feb. 14, 2018	Nov. 09, 2017
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Treasury stock, value acquired	$ 70,446,000
Common shares | February 2018 Stock Buyback Program
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount			$ 200,000,000
Treasury stock, shares acquired (shares)	3,117,483
Treasury stock, value acquired	$ 70,400,000
Prospectus Supplement
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Maximum common stock value authorized under prospectus supplement				$ 150,000,000
Issuance of common stock under prospectus supplement (in shares)	0
Amended Credit Agreement | Revolving Credit Facility | Line of Credit
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 900,000,000

Shareholders' Equity - Componen

Shareholders' Equity - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 1,199,241
Current-period other comprehensive (loss) income	(1,339)
Ending balance	1,080,981
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(7,470)
Current-period other comprehensive (loss) income	(5,858)
Ending balance	(13,328)
Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(11,892)
Current-period other comprehensive (loss) income	4,550
Ending balance	(7,342)
Pension adjustments, net of tax
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(5,084)
Current-period other comprehensive (loss) income	(31)
Ending balance	(5,115)
Total
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(24,446)
Ending balance	$ (25,785)

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, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Shares
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance, Shares	1,230
Options granted, Shares	475
Options exercised, Shares	(97)
Options forfeited/canceled/expired, Shares	(108)
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Shares	1,500	1,230
Options vested and expected to vest, ending balance, Shares	1,404
Options exercisable, ending balance, Shares	656
Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 25.02
Options granted, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	21.60
Options exercised, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	19.13
Options forfeited/canceled/expired, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	25.24
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	24.30	$ 25.02
Options vested and expected to vest, ending balance, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	24.31
Options exercisable, ending balance, Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 23.80
Options, Additional Disclosures
Options outstanding, Remaining Contractual Term	7 years 5 months 30 days	7 years 3 months 29 days
Options vested and expected to vest, ending balance, Wtd. Avg., Remaining Contractual Term	7 years 4 months 20 days
Options exercisable, ending balance, Wtd. Avg. Remaining Contractual Term	5 years 9 months 65 days
Options outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 4,849	$ 3,117
Options vested and expected to vest, ending balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	4,580
Options exercisable, ending balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 2,601

Equity Incentive Plans - Restri

Equity Incentive Plans - Restricted Stock Activity (Details) - Restricted Stock shares in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018$ / sharesshares
Shares
Restricted stock outstanding shares, Beginning Balance | shares	1,770
Granted shares | shares	905
Vested shares | shares	(577)
Forfeited/canceled shares | shares	(52)
Restricted stock outstanding shares, Ending Balance | shares	2,046
Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted stock outstanding Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 30.47
Granted Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	22.70
Vested Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	28.52
Forfeited/canceled Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	25
Restricted stock outstanding Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 27.54

Equity Incentive Plans - Narrat

Equity Incentive Plans - Narrative (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Apr. 24, 2018$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)shares	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)metricshares	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted (in shares)			475,000
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility rate			44.50%
Risk free interest rate			2.58%
Share based compensation expense | $			$ 15.6	$ 13.8
Unrecognized compensation costs related to non vested stock option awards | $		$ 40	$ 40
Expected weighted average period to recognize expense			2 years 5 months
Granted shares			905,000
Number of annual performance metrics | metric			2
Beta			1.05
Restricted Stock | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			3 years
Award vesting rights, percentage			0.00%
Restricted Stock | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			4 years
Award vesting rights, percentage			200.00%
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)		17,751
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility rate			39.69%
Expected term			5 years
Risk free interest rate			2.84%
Expected dividend yield			8.70%
Options granted (in shares)	475,000
Grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 3.64
Share based compensation expense | $			$ 0.7	$ 1.1
Unrecognized compensation costs related to non vested stock option awards | $		$ 2.4	$ 2.4
Expected weighted average period to recognize expense			3 years
2018 Stock Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for issuance	4,600,000
Certain Employees and Executive Officers | Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted shares			905,000
Certain Employees and Executive Officers | Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted shares			352,500
Performance metric one | Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			3 years
Award vesting rights, percentage			50.00%
Award performance period			3 years
Performance metric two | Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights, percentage			50.00%
Award performance period			3 years

- Earnings Per Share Calculatio

- Earnings Per Share Calculation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Net income	$ 39,229	$ 38,453	$ 111,474	$ 109,761
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	60	36	223	123
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ 39,289	$ 38,489	$ 111,697	$ 109,884
Basic earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.:
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	119,681	122,251	120,567	119,356
Per share amount (USD per share)	$ 0.33	$ 0.31	$ 0.93	$ 0.92
Diluted earnings per share attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.:
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	119,681	122,251	120,567	119,356
Dilutive effect of equity incentive plans (in shares)	621	636	488	758
Weighted average shares assuming dilution (in shares)	120,302	122,887	121,055	120,114
Income from continuing operations (USD per share)	$ 0.33	$ 0.31	$ 0.92	$ 0.91

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, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share			904,375
Restricted Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	477,941	818,400	671,149	662,126
Stock Options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	613,224	681,007		601,453

Derivative Financial Instrume_2

Derivative Financial Instruments - Australia Ravenhall (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018AUD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized gain, net of tax, related to cash flow hedge	$ 1,536,000	$ 1,740,000	$ 4,550,000	$ 2,556,000
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	$ 8,600,000		$ 8,600,000
Ravenhall, Australia | Operating phase | Interest Rate Swap
Derivative [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate on derivative	4.20%		4.20%		4.20%
Notional amount coincide with the terms of the non-recourse debt	$ 330,200,000		$ 330,200,000		$ 457
Ravenhall, Australia | Cash Flow Hedge
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized gain, net of tax, related to cash flow hedge			$ 4,600,000

Debt - Debt Outstanding (Detail

Debt - Debt Outstanding (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan	$ 788,000	$ 794,000
Unamortized discount	(7,192)	(3,499)
Unamortized debt issuance expense	(3,032)	(7,612)
Revolver	455,919	270,559
Total Senior Credit Facility	1,233,695	1,053,448
Capital Lease Obligations	6,412	7,431
Other debt	2,604	2,728
Total debt	2,730,616	2,581,887
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	(340,143)	(28,920)
Capital Lease Obligations, long-term portion	(4,954)	(6,059)
Non-Recourse Debt, long-term portion	(22,201)	(365,364)
Long-Term Debt	2,363,318	2,181,544
Non-Recourse Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount	(186)	(271)
Unamortized debt issuance expense	(5,159)	(9,322)
Non-Recourse Debt	357,692	394,008
Total Non-Recourse Debt	352,347	384,415
6.00% Senior Notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance expense	(4,950)	(5,325)
Long-term Debt, Gross	350,000	350,000
Long-term Debt	$ 345,050	344,675
Interest rate	6.00%
5.875% Senior Notes, due 2024 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance expense	$ (3,078)	(3,385)
Long-term Debt, Gross	250,000	250,000
Long-term Debt	$ 246,922	246,615
Interest rate	5.875%
5.125% Senior Notes, due 2023 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance expense	$ (3,712)	(4,184)
Long-term Debt, Gross	300,000	300,000
Long-term Debt	$ 296,288	295,816
Interest rate	5.125%
5.875% Senior Notes due 2022 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance expense	$ (2,702)	(3,241)
Long-term Debt, Gross	250,000	250,000
Long-term Debt	$ 247,298	$ 246,759
Interest rate	5.875%

Debt - Amended Credit Agreement

Debt - Amended Credit Agreement (Details)	Apr. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018AUD ($)	Apr. 30, 2018AUD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan costs		$ 3,032,000			$ 7,612,000
Term loan		788,000,000			794,000,000
Revolver		$ 455,919,000			$ 270,559,000
Weighted average interest rate		4.30%	4.30%
Revolver
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolver		$ 456,000,000
Additional Revolver
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowing capacity increase		374,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of Credit | Amended Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 900,000,000
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		70,000,000
Letter of Credit | Line of Credit | Amended Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 275,000,000
Loan costs	$ 1,000,000
Long-term debt		0
Letter of Credit | Line of Credit | Bank Guarantee and Standby Sub Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		72,200,000	$ 100,000,000
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		$ 788,000,000
Term Loan | Line of Credit | Amended Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 792,000,000
Term Loan | Line of Credit | Amended Credit Agreement | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%			2.00%
Interest rate	0.75%			0.75%

Debt - Senior Notes (Details)

Debt - Senior Notes (Details) - Senior Notes	Sep. 30, 2018
6.00% Senior Notes, due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	6.00%
5.875% Senior Notes, due 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.875%
5.125% Senior Notes, due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.125%
5.875% Senior Notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.875%

Debt - Non-Recourse Debt (Detai

Debt - Non-Recourse Debt (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018AUD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018AUD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents - current	$ 54,931		$ 54,931			$ 12,452
Revolver	455,919		$ 455,919		$ 270,559
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	352,347		$ 352,347		$ 384,415
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]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents - current	8,300		$ 8,300
Northwest Detention Center | Non-Recourse Debt, 2011 Revenue Bonds
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 54,400		$ 54,400
Interest rate	5.25%		5.25%	5.25%
Non-recourse debt	$ 30,000		$ 30,000
Current portion of non recourse debt	7,000		7,000
Ravenhall | National Australia Bank Limited | Construction Facility | Non-Recourse Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	571,500		571,500	$ 791,000,000
Capital contribution from GEO	83,100	$ 115,000,000
Lump sum due at completion	224,000		224,000	$ 310,000,000
Revolver	$ 328,000		$ 328,000

Debt - Guarantees (Details)

Debt - Guarantees (Details) £ in Millions, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)guarantee	Sep. 30, 2018AUD ($)guarantee	Sep. 30, 2018GBP (£)guarantee	Sep. 30, 2018ZAR (R)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	$ 15,600,000		£ 12
Note receivable for GEOAmey	$ 1,700,000		£ 1.3
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
Letters of credit outstanding relating to performance guarantees	$ 14,700,000
Ravenhall | Letter of Credit | Revolver
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Guaranteed obligations	72,200,000	$ 100
SACS
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum loan amount under standby facility	1,500,000			R 20,000,000
Amount funded	$ 0

Commitments, Contingencies an_2

Commitments, Contingencies and Other (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 19, 2017claim	Sep. 20, 2017claim	Sep. 09, 2017claim	Dec. 19, 2017claim	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)facilitybed
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimate of possible loss					$ 19.6
Estimated construction capital project cost					229.4
Cost already spent on existing capital projects					188.7
Remaining capital required for capital projects					$ 40.7
Number of vacant beds at idle facilities marketed to potential customers | bed					4,700
Number of marketed idle facilities | facility					4
Property and Equipment
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Carrying values of idle facilities marketed to potential customers					$ 124.1
Pending Litigation | Immigration Detainees Against Company
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
New claims filed, number | claim				3
WASHINGTON | Pending Litigation | Immigration Detainees Against Company
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
New claims filed, number | claim		2	1
CALIFORNIA | Pending Litigation | Immigration Detainees Against Company
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
New claims filed, number | claim	1

Business Segments and Geograp_3

Business Segments and Geographic Information - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 583,530	$ 566,759	$ 1,731,956	$ 1,694,443
Operating Income:
Operating income	69,780	62,902	201,181	181,827
U.S. Corrections & Detention
Revenues:
Revenues			1,107,016	1,073,840
GEO Care
Revenues:
Revenues			431,819	377,740
International Services
Revenues:
Revenues			193,121	130,261
Operating Segments
Revenues:
Revenues	583,530	566,759	1,731,956	1,694,443
Operating Income:
Operating income	117,427	111,976	338,108	325,693
Operating Segments | U.S. Corrections & Detention
Revenues:
Revenues	379,351	365,071	1,107,016	1,073,840
Operating Income:
Operating income	77,885	77,551	224,386	224,838
Operating Segments | GEO Care
Revenues:
Revenues	141,808	134,610	431,819	377,740
Operating Income:
Operating income	35,959	31,293	102,795	94,062
Operating Segments | International Services
Revenues:
Revenues	62,371	45,641	193,121	130,261
Operating Income:
Operating income	3,583	3,410	10,927	8,413
Operating Segments | Facility Construction and Design
Revenues:
Revenues	0	21,437	0	112,602
Operating Income:
Operating income	$ 0	$ (278)	$ 0	$ (1,620)

Business Segments and Geograp_4

Business Segments and Geographic Information - Income Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments
Total operating income from segments	$ 69,780	$ 62,902	$ 201,181	$ 181,827
Unallocated Amount:
General and Administrative Expenses	(47,647)	(49,074)	(136,927)	(143,866)
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	40,217	38,831	116,596	111,096
Operating Segments
Pre-Tax Income Reconciliation of Segments
Total operating income from segments	117,427	111,976	338,108	325,693
Segment Reconciling Items
Unallocated Amount:
General and Administrative Expenses	(47,647)	(49,074)	(136,927)	(143,866)
Net Interest Expense	$ (29,563)	$ (24,071)	$ (84,585)	$ (70,731)

Business Segments and Geograp_5

Business Segments and Geographic Information - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)segment	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of reportable business segments | segment			4
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	$ 2,735	$ 1,342	$ 7,071	$ 4,255
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	2,200	1,100	$ 5,900	3,400
Investment in joint venture	12,800		$ 12,800		18,100
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	600	$ 200	$ 1,200	$ 800
Investment in affiliate	$ 3,900		$ 3,900		$ 2,700

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, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of period			$ 32,820	$ 28,624	$ 28,624
Service cost	$ 300	$ 250	900	751	1,001
Interest cost	310	$ 307	931	921	1,228
Actuarial loss			0		2,474
Benefits paid			(396)		(507)
Projected benefit obligation, end of period	34,255		34,255		32,820
Change in Plan Assets
Plan assets at fair value, beginning of period			0	$ 0	0
Company contributions			396		507
Benefits paid			(396)		(507)
Plan assets at fair value, end of period	0		0		0
Unfunded Status of the Plan	$ (34,255)		$ (34,255)		$ (32,820)

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, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Service cost	$ 300	$ 250	$ 900	$ 751	$ 1,001
Interest cost	310	307	931	921	$ 1,228
Net loss	133	73	399	218
Net periodic pension cost	$ 743	$ 630	$ 2,230	$ 1,890

Benefit Plans - Narrative (Deta

Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Long-term portion of the pension liability	$ 33.9	$ 32.4

Condensed Consolidating Finan_3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 583,530	$ 566,759	$ 1,731,956	$ 1,694,443
Operating expenses	434,806	423,134	1,299,312	1,276,286
Depreciation and amortization	31,297	31,649	94,536	92,464
General and administrative expenses	47,647	49,074	136,927	143,866
Total operating income from segments	69,780	62,902	201,181	181,827
Interest income	8,428	14,648	26,194	38,971
Interest expense	(37,991)	(38,719)	(110,779)	(109,702)
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	40,217	38,831	116,596	111,096
Income tax provision	3,723	1,720	12,193	5,590
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	2,735	1,342	7,071	4,255
Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	39,229	38,453	111,474	109,761
Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision	0	0	0	0
Net income	39,229	38,453	111,474	109,761
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	60	36	223	123
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	39,289	38,489	111,697	109,884
Net income	39,229	38,453	111,474	109,761
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(556)	1,625	(1,363)	4,761
Total comprehensive income	38,673	40,078	110,111	114,522
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	72	34	247	119
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	38,745	40,112	110,358	114,641
Reportable Legal Entities | The GEO Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Revenues	208,607	171,553	606,424	520,986
Operating expenses	171,038	139,165	483,982	406,576
Depreciation and amortization	6,742	6,104	19,766	18,319
General and administrative expenses	16,878	14,699	47,499	43,939
Total operating income from segments	13,949	11,585	55,177	52,152
Interest income	3,415	2,688	10,998	12,793
Interest expense	(20,765)	(18,148)	(59,034)	(51,391)
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	(3,401)	(3,875)	7,141	13,554
Income tax provision	162	147	1,055	441
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	(3,563)	(4,022)	6,086	13,113
Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision	42,792	42,475	105,388	96,648
Net income	39,229	38,453	111,474	109,761
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	39,229	38,453	111,474	109,761
Net income	39,229	38,453	111,474	109,761
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income	39,229	38,453	111,474	109,761
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	39,229	38,453	111,474	109,761
Reportable Legal Entities | Combined Subsidiary Guarantors
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Revenues	479,175	464,140	1,412,868	1,342,620
Operating expenses	379,892	364,834	1,138,897	1,076,232
Depreciation and amortization	23,621	24,623	71,759	71,404
General and administrative expenses	25,568	28,066	73,753	78,479
Total operating income from segments	50,094	46,617	128,459	116,505
Interest income	1,159	1,629	4,023	2,858
Interest expense	(13,714)	(13,093)	(42,133)	(41,353)
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	37,539	35,153	90,349	78,010
Income tax provision	2,446	811	6,188	3,058
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	35,093	34,342	84,161	74,952
Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision	0	0	0	0
Net income	35,093	34,342	84,161	74,952
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	35,093	34,342	84,161	74,952
Net income	35,093	34,342	84,161	74,952
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(761)	64	(31)	175
Total comprehensive income	34,332	34,406	84,130	75,127
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	34,332	34,406	84,130	75,127
Reportable Legal Entities | Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Revenues	65,028	69,698	201,090	250,618
Operating expenses	53,156	57,767	164,859	213,259
Depreciation and amortization	934	922	3,011	2,741
General and administrative expenses	5,201	6,309	15,675	21,448
Total operating income from segments	5,737	4,700	17,545	13,170
Interest income	8,660	14,871	26,951	39,175
Interest expense	(8,318)	(12,018)	(25,390)	(32,813)
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	6,079	7,553	19,106	19,532
Income tax provision	1,115	762	4,950	2,091
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of income tax provision	2,735	1,342	7,071	4,255
Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	7,699	8,133	21,227	21,696
Income from consolidated subsidiaries, net of income tax provision	0	0	0	0
Net income	7,699	8,133	21,227	21,696
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	60	36	223	123
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	7,759	8,169	21,450	21,819
Net income	7,699	8,133	21,227	21,696
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	205	1,561	(1,332)	4,586
Total comprehensive income	7,904	9,694	19,895	26,282
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	72	34	247	119
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	7,976	9,728	20,142	26,401
Eliminations
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Revenues	(169,280)	(138,632)	(488,426)	(419,781)
Operating expenses	(169,280)	(138,632)	(488,426)	(419,781)
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	(4,806)	(4,540)	(15,778)	(15,855)
Interest expense	4,806	4,540	15,778	15,855
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	(42,792)	(42,475)	(105,388)	(96,648)
Net income	(42,792)	(42,475)	(105,388)	(96,648)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	(42,792)	(42,475)	(105,388)	(96,648)
Net income	(42,792)	(42,475)	(105,388)	(96,648)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income	(42,792)	(42,475)	(105,388)	(96,648)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.	$ (42,792)	$ (42,475)	$ (105,388)	$ (96,648)

Condensed Consolidating Finan_4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 66,007	$ 81,377	$ 51,526
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	54,931	44,932
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	403,610	389,916
Contract receivable, current portion	9,420	18,142
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	37,587	45,342
Total current assets	571,555	579,709
Restricted Cash and Investments	28,939	27,999
Property and Equipment, Net	2,148,005	2,078,123
Assets Held for Sale	2,634	3,915
Non-Current Contract Receivable	384,794	404,309
Intercompany Receivable	0	0
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets	26,277	26,277
Goodwill	776,368	778,951
Intangible Assets, Net	237,947	255,339
Investment in Subsidiaries	0	0
Other Non-Current Assets	65,820	72,286
Total Assets	4,242,339	4,226,908
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	82,284	92,587
Accrued payroll and related taxes	53,597	71,732
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	197,459	176,324
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	340,143	28,920
Total current liabilities	673,483	369,563
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	8,757	8,757
Intercompany Payable	0	0
Other Non-Current Liabilities	89,214	96,702
Capital Lease Obligations	4,954	6,059
Long-Term Debt	2,363,318	2,181,544
Non-Recourse Debt	22,201	365,364
Commitments & Contingencies and Other
The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	1,080,981	1,199,241
Noncontrolling interests	(569)	(322)
Total shareholders’ equity	1,080,412	1,198,919
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	4,242,339	4,226,908
Reportable Legal Entities | The GEO Group, Inc.
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	9,193	54,666
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	5,652	0
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	178,579	130,354
Contract receivable, current portion	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,153	2,589
Total current assets	195,577	187,609
Restricted Cash and Investments	0	0
Property and Equipment, Net	843,558	777,404
Assets Held for Sale	705	0
Non-Current Contract Receivable	0	0
Intercompany Receivable	980,555	1,130,189
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets	863	863
Goodwill	0	0
Intangible Assets, Net	0	0
Investment in Subsidiaries	1,516,564	1,336,665
Other Non-Current Assets	8,711	11,141
Total Assets	3,546,533	3,443,871
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	11,967	20,643
Accrued payroll and related taxes	0	0
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	43,371	40,344
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	8,000	8,000
Total current liabilities	63,338	68,987
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	0	0
Intercompany Payable	118,478	79,984
Other Non-Current Liabilities	1,337	4,674
Capital Lease Obligations	0	0
Long-Term Debt	2,282,399	2,090,985
Non-Recourse Debt	0	0
Commitments & Contingencies and Other
The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	1,080,981	1,199,241
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total shareholders’ equity	1,080,981	1,199,241
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	3,546,533	3,443,871
Reportable Legal Entities | Combined Subsidiary Guarantors
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	18,059	0
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	187,231	225,029
Contract receivable, current portion	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	26,183	24,163
Total current assets	231,473	249,192
Restricted Cash and Investments	23,476	25,715
Property and Equipment, Net	1,217,597	1,209,816
Assets Held for Sale	1,929	3,915
Non-Current Contract Receivable	0	0
Intercompany Receivable	126,525	88,534
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets	23,913	23,913
Goodwill	775,955	778,504
Intangible Assets, Net	237,345	254,531
Investment in Subsidiaries	458,229	456,076
Other Non-Current Assets	115,759	115,330
Total Assets	3,212,201	3,205,526
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	64,568	65,475
Accrued payroll and related taxes	33,424	51,780
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	121,258	115,636
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	1,998	1,870
Total current liabilities	221,248	234,761
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	0	0
Intercompany Payable	979,528	1,129,590
Other Non-Current Liabilities	157,333	157,200
Capital Lease Obligations	4,954	6,059
Long-Term Debt	0	0
Non-Recourse Debt	0	0
Commitments & Contingencies and Other
The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	1,849,138	1,677,916
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total shareholders’ equity	1,849,138	1,677,916
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	3,212,201	3,205,526
Reportable Legal Entities | Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	38,755	26,711
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	49,279	44,932
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	33,695	34,533
Contract receivable, current portion	9,420	18,142
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	11,037	18,590
Total current assets	142,186	142,908
Restricted Cash and Investments	5,463	2,284
Property and Equipment, Net	86,850	90,903
Assets Held for Sale	0	0
Non-Current Contract Receivable	384,794	404,309
Intercompany Receivable	24,460	28,218
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets	1,501	1,501
Goodwill	413	447
Intangible Assets, Net	602	808
Investment in Subsidiaries	2,190	2,190
Other Non-Current Assets	20,245	25,210
Total Assets	668,704	698,778
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	5,749	6,469
Accrued payroll and related taxes	20,173	19,952
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	30,511	20,344
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	330,145	19,050
Total current liabilities	386,578	65,815
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	8,757	8,757
Intercompany Payable	33,534	37,367
Other Non-Current Liabilities	9,439	14,223
Capital Lease Obligations	0	0
Long-Term Debt	80,919	90,559
Non-Recourse Debt	22,201	365,364
Commitments & Contingencies and Other
The GEO Group, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	127,845	117,015
Noncontrolling interests	(569)	(322)
Total shareholders’ equity	127,276	116,693
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	668,704	698,778
Eliminations
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	4,105	0
Contract receivable, current portion	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(1,786)	0
Total current assets	2,319	0
Restricted Cash and Investments	0	0
Property and Equipment, Net	0	0
Assets Held for Sale	0	0
Non-Current Contract Receivable	0
Intercompany Receivable	(1,131,540)	(1,246,941)
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Assets	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Intangible Assets, Net	0	0
Investment in Subsidiaries	(1,976,983)	(1,794,931)
Other Non-Current Assets	(78,895)	(79,395)
Total Assets	(3,185,099)	(3,121,267)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	0	0
Accrued payroll and related taxes	0	0
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	2,319	0
Current portion of capital lease obligations, long-term debt and non-recourse debt	0	0
Total current liabilities	2,319	0
Non-Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	0	0
Intercompany Payable	(1,131,540)	(1,246,941)
Other Non-Current Liabilities	(78,895)	(79,395)
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	(1,976,983)	(1,794,931)
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total shareholders’ equity	(1,976,983)	(1,794,931)
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$ (3,185,099)	$ (3,121,267)

Condensed Consolidating Finan_5

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statement of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 220,223	$ 57,905
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	5,998	86
Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired	0	(353,555)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	2,061	856
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	3,797	0
Change in restricted investments	(2,413)	(3,810)
Capital expenditures	(161,490)	(104,130)
Net cash used in investing activities	(152,047)	(460,553)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	372,000	1,324,865
Payments on long-term debt	(186,033)	(1,093,088)
Payments on non-recourse debt	(9,636)	(68,887)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt	0	123,785
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(4,452)	(4,122)
Payment for repurchases of common stock	(70,446)	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	404	382
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with public offering	0	275,867
Debt issuance costs	(990)	(9,470)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	1,781	6,786
Cash dividends paid	(172,256)	(169,152)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(69,628)	386,966
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(5,392)	863
Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(6,844)	(14,819)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	133,545	90,357
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	126,701	75,538
The GEO Group, Inc.
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	112,599	15,303
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	0	86
Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired		(353,555)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0	845
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	0
Change in restricted investments	0	0
Capital expenditures	(95,461)	(34,679)
Net cash used in investing activities	(95,461)	(387,303)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	372,000	1,324,865
Payments on long-term debt	(183,000)	(1,093,088)
Payments on non-recourse debt	0	0
Proceeds from non-recourse debt		0
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	(4,452)	(4,122)
Payment for repurchases of common stock	(70,446)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	404	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with public offering		275,867
Debt issuance costs	(990)	(8,701)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	1,781	6,786
Cash dividends paid	(172,256)	(169,152)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(56,959)	332,455
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	0	0
Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(39,821)	(39,545)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	54,666	45,736
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	14,845	6,191
Combined Subsidiary Guarantors
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	70,040	79,088
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	5,998	0
Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired		0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0	0
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	3,797
Change in restricted investments	(2,413)	(3,810)
Capital expenditures	(64,015)	(61,432)
Net cash used in investing activities	(56,633)	(65,242)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	0
Payments on long-term debt	0	0
Payments on non-recourse debt	0	0
Proceeds from non-recourse debt		0
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	0	0
Payment for repurchases of common stock	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with public offering		0
Debt issuance costs	0	0
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	0	0
Cash dividends paid	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	0	0
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	0	0
Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	13,407	13,846
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	4,952	4,922
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	18,359	18,768
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	37,584	(36,486)
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Insurance proceeds - damaged property	0	0
Acquisition of CEC, net of cash acquired		0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	2,061	11
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	0
Change in restricted investments	0	0
Capital expenditures	(2,014)	(8,019)
Net cash used in investing activities	47	(8,008)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	0
Payments on long-term debt	(3,033)	0
Payments on non-recourse debt	(9,636)	(68,887)
Proceeds from non-recourse debt		123,785
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards	0	0
Payment for repurchases of common stock	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with ESPP	0	382
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with public offering		0
Debt issuance costs	0	(769)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	0	0
Cash dividends paid	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(12,669)	54,511
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	(5,392)	863
Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	19,570	10,880
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period	73,927	39,699
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	$ 93,497	$ 50,579

Condensed Consolidating Finan_6

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Narrative (Details)	Sep. 30, 2018
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%
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%
Senior Notes | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes bear interest at a rate	5.875%

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) - $ / shares	Oct. 15, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)		$ 0.47	$ 0.47	$ 1.41	$ 1.41
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.47