Summary of Business Organization, Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Summary of Business Organization, Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

The GEO Group, Inc., a Florida corporation, and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “GEO”) specializes in the ownership, leasing and management of secure facilities, processing centers and reentry centers in the United States, Australia and South Africa. The Company owns, leases and operates a broad range of facilities including maximum, medium and minimum-security facilities, processing centers, as well as community-based reentry facilities and offers an expanded delivery of rehabilitation services under its 'GEO Continuum of Care' platform. The 'GEO Continuum of Care' platform integrates enhanced rehabilitative 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 GEOAmey Ltd. (“GEOAmey”). As of December 31, 2023, GEO's worldwide operations included the ownership and/or management of approximately 81,000 beds at 100 secure and community services facilities, including idle facilities and projects under development, and also includes the provision of reentry and electronic monitoring and supervision services for thousands of individuals, including an array of technology products including radio frequency, GPS, and alcohol monitoring devices.

GEO operated as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2020. As a REIT, the Company provided services and conducted other business activities through taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs"). A TRS is a subsidiary of a REIT that is subject to applicable corporate income tax rates and certain qualification requirements. The Company's use of TRSs permitted GEO to engage in certain business activities in which the REIT could not engage directly, so long as those activities were conducted in entities that elected to be treated as TRSs under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and enabled GEO to, among other things, provide correctional services at facilities it owns and at facilities owned by its government partners. A TRS is not subject to the distribution requirements applicable to REITs so it may retain income generated by its operations for reinvestment.

On December 2, 2021, the Company announced that its Board unanimously approved a plan to terminate the Company's REIT status and become a taxable C Corporation, effective for the year ended December 31, 2021. As a result, the Company is no longer required to operate under REIT rules, including the requirement to distribute at least 90% of REIT taxable income to its stockholders, which provides the Company with greater flexibility to use its free cash flow. Effective January 1, 2021, the Company is subject to federal and state income taxes on its taxable income at applicable tax rates and is no longer entitled to a tax deduction for dividends paid. The Company operated as a REIT for the 2020 tax year, and existing REIT requirements and limitations remained in place until December 31, 2020. The Board also voted unanimously to discontinue the Company's quarterly dividend.

As a result of GEO’s Board announcing the change in corporate structure to a taxable C Corporation in fiscal year 2021, the Company incurred a one-time, non-cash deferred tax charge of approximately $70.8 million during the fourth quarter of 2021. GEO also incurred approximately $29.3 million in incremental income tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2021 due to the resulting higher corporate tax rate for 2021, including a catch-up tax expense of approximately $16.8 million in connection with the first three quarters of 2021.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The significant accounting policies of the Company are described below.

Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in non-controlled affiliates in which the Company’s ownership ranges from 20 to 50 percent, or in instances in which the Company is able to exercise significant influence but not control. The Company reports South Africa Custodial Services ("SACS") and its 50% owned joint venture in the United Kingdom, GEOAmey, under the equity method of accounting. Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities represent equity that other investors have contributed to South Africa Custodial Management ("SACM"). Non-controlling interests are adjusted for income and losses allocable to the other shareholders in these entities. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statements. These reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported results of operations and represent the reclassification of certain expenses from operating expenses to other income/expense that were not significant.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company’s significant estimates include reserves for self-insured retention related to general liability and workers’ compensation insurance, projected cash flows used to evaluate asset impairment, useful lives of its property, equipment and intangible assets. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. While the Company believes that such estimates are reasonable when considered in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, the actual amounts of such estimates, when known, will vary from these estimates. If actual results significantly differ from the Company’s estimates, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations could be materially impacted.

Dividends

As discussed above, on December 2, 2021, GEO’s Board unanimously approved a plan to terminate the Company's REIT status and become a taxable C Corporation, effective for the year ended December 31, 2021. In connection with terminating the Company’s REIT status, the Board also voted unanimously to discontinue the Company's quarterly dividend.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all interest-bearing deposits or investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with various financial institutions. These financial institutions are located throughout the United States, Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had $35.8 million and $19.7 million in cash and cash equivalents held by its international subsidiaries, respectively.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company maintains deposits of cash in excess of federally insured limits with certain financial institutions and accordingly the Company is subject to credit risk. Other than cash, financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of trade accounts receivable, investments in marketable securities, long-term debt and financial instruments used in hedging activities. The Company’s cash management and investment policies restrict investments to low-risk, highly liquid securities, and the Company performs periodic evaluations of the credit standing of the financial institutions with which it deals.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consists primarily of trade accounts receivable due from federal, state, local and international government agencies for operating and managing secure facilities, providing community-based services, providing electronic monitoring and supervision services, providing construction and design services and providing residential and transportation services. The Company generates receivables with its governmental clients and with other parties in the normal course of business as a result of billing and receiving payment. The Company regularly reviews outstanding receivables and provides for estimated losses through a credit loss reserve. In evaluating the level of credit loss reserves, the Company makes judgments regarding its customers’ ability to make required payments, economic events and other factors. As the financial condition of these parties change, circumstances develop or additional information becomes available, adjustments to the credit loss reserve may be required. The Company also performs ongoing credit evaluations for some of its customers’ financial conditions and generally does not require collateral. Generally, the Company receives payment for these services thirty to sixty days in arrears. However, certain of the Company’s accounts receivable are paid by customers after the completion of their program year and therefore can be aged in excess of one year. The Company maintains reserves for potential credit losses, and such losses traditionally have been within its expectations. Actual write-offs are charged against the credit loss reserve when collection efforts have been unsuccessful. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company's trade receivables that were considered to be long-term were not significant.

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:


	December 31, 2023			December 31, 2022			December 31, 2021
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	93,971		$	95,073		$	506,491
Restricted cash and cash equivalents - current		—			—			20,161
Restricted cash and investments - non-current		135,968			111,691			76,158
Less Restricted investments - non-current		(70,072	)		(62,921	)		(54,488	)
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents shown in the statement of cash flows	$	159,867		$	143,843		$	548,322

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 (which were included in Restricted Cash and cash equivalents current) and asset replacement funds contractually required to be maintained and other guarantees. The Company sold shares/units in certain of its wholly owned Australian subsidiaries related to its Ravenhall facility in September 2022. Upon the sale, the restricted cash related to these subsidiaries was transferred to the buyer. As such, the Company has no current restricted cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2023 or 2022. Refer to Note 16 - Commitments, Contingencies and Other Matters for further information. 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 an employee and employer contributions to The GEO Group, Inc. Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, its rabbi trust established for its Executive Chairman's retirement account held in a money market fund, investments in equity and fixed income mutual funds and money market funds held in the Company’s captive insurance subsidiary, Florina, and certain contractual cash requirements at the Company’s wholly owned Australian subsidiary related to certain performance guarantees at its Ravenhall facility. The investments held in the rabbi trust related to The GEO Group, Inc. Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan and the investments in equity and fixed income mutual funds held in Florina are restricted investments that are not considered to be restricted cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows. Refer to Note 8 - Financial Instruments.

Prepaid expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets include assets that are expected to be realized within the next fiscal year. Prepaid expenses represents $40.2 million and $38.9 million of the total balance as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Other current assets consist primarily of food and uniform inventory. Included in the balance at December 31, 2023 is approximately $5.8 million of federal, state and international tax overpayments that will be applied against tax payments in 2024. Included in the balance at December 31, 2022 is approximately $11.3 million of federal, state and international tax overpayments that were applied against tax payments in 2023.

Inventory

Inventory, which consists primarily of component parts related to electronic monitoring equipment, is stated at the lower of average cost or net realizable value and is approximately $25.1 million and $20.7 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Inventory is included in Other Non-Current Assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated amortization and depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Buildings and improvements are depreciated over 2 to 50 years. Equipment and furniture and fixtures are depreciated over 3 to 10 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the term of the lease. The Company performs ongoing evaluations of the estimated useful lives of the property and equipment for depreciation purposes. The estimated useful lives are determined and continually evaluated based on the period over which services are expected to be rendered by the asset. If the assessment indicates that assets will be used for a longer or shorter period than previously anticipated, the useful lives of the assets are revised, resulting in a change in estimate. The Company has not made any such changes in estimates during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Interest is capitalized in connection with the construction of company-owned secure facilities. Cost for self-constructed secure facilities includes direct materials and labor, capitalized interest and certain other indirect costs associated with construction of the facility, such as property taxes, other indirect labor and related benefits and payroll taxes. The Company begins the capitalization of costs during the pre-construction phase, which is the period during which costs are incurred to evaluate the site and continues until the facility is substantially complete and ready for occupancy. Labor costs capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were not significant. The capitalized costs of real estate projects

are assigned to individual components of the project based on specific identification. Capitalized interest is recorded as part of the asset to which it relates and is amortized over the asset’s estimated useful life. Refer to Note 5 - Property and Equipment.

Assets Held for Sale

At December 31, 2023, the Company had no properties classified as assets held for sale. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had one property classified as held for sale included in its U.S Secure Services segment in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The Company classifies a long-lived asset (disposal group) as held for sale in the period in which all of the following criteria are met (i) Management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the asset (disposal group), (ii) the asset (disposal group) is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to the terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets (disposal groups), (iii) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the asset (disposal group) have been initiated, (iv) the sale of the asset (disposal group) is probable, and transfer of the asset (disposal group) is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale, within one year, except as permitted, (v) the asset (disposal group) is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value, and (vi) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. The Company records assets held for sale at the lower of cost or estimated fair value and estimates fair value by using third party appraisers or other valuation techniques. The Company does not record depreciation for assets held for sale. Any gain or loss on the sale of operating assets is included in the operating income of the reportable segment to which it relates.

The property that was classified as held for sale at December 31, 2022 was a parcel of undeveloped land located in Texas. At December 31, 2022, the aggregate carrying value of this property was approximately $0.5 million.

Asset Impairments

The following table summarizes the Company’s idled facilities as of December 31, 2023 and their respective carrying values, excluding equipment and other assets that can be easily transferred to other facilities.


						Secure Services		Reentry Services		Total
		Secure Services		Reentry Services		Net Carrying Value		Net Carrying Value		Net Carrying Value
Facility	Year Idled	Design Capacity		Design Capacity		December 31, 2023		December 31, 2023		December 31, 2023
D. Ray James Correctional Facility	2021		1,900		-		49,743		-		49,743
Northlake Correctional Facility	2022		1,800		-		73,937		-		73,937
Rivers Correctional Facility	2021		1,450		-		36,234		-		36,234
Big Spring Correctional Facility	2021		1,732		-		30,186		-		30,186
Flightline Correctional Facility	2021		1,800		-		33,203		-		33,203
McFarland Female Community Reentry Facility	2020		300		-		10,360		-		10,360
Cheyenne Mountain Recovery Center [1]	2020		750		-		17,566		-		17,566
Hector Garza Center	2020		-		139		-		4,469		4,469
Delaney Hall	2023		-		1,200		-		25,368		25,368
Coleman Hall	2017		-		350		-		7,368		7,368
Total			9,732		1,689	$	251,229	$	37,205	$	288,434

[1] This facility is under a contract that is yet to be activated.

There was no indication of impairment related to the Company’s idle facilities during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 or 2021.

The Company reviews long-lived assets to be held and used for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be fully recoverable. Events that would trigger an impairment assessment include deterioration of profits for a business segment that has long-lived assets, or when other changes occur that might impair recovery of long-lived assets such as the termination of a management contract or a prolonged decrease in population. If impairment indicators are present, the Company performs a recoverability test to determine whether or not an impairment loss should be measured.

The Company tests idle facilities for impairment upon notification that the facilities will no longer be utilized by the customer. If a long-lived asset is part of a group that includes other assets, the unit of accounting for the long-lived asset is its group. Generally, the Company groups assets by facility for the purpose of considering whether any impairment exists. The estimates of recoverability are based on projected undiscounted cash flows associated with actual marketing efforts where available or, in other instances, projected undiscounted cash flows that are comparable to historical cash flows from management contracts achieved in the past at that facility or at similar facilities and probability

weighted cash flows. The Company's probability weighted cash flows include adjustments to projected cash flows compared to the historical cash flows due to current business conditions which impact per diem rates as well as labor and other operating costs, changes related to facility mission due to changes in prospective clients, and changes in projected capacity and occupancy rates. The Company performs the impairment analysis on an annual basis, or more frequently as needed, for each of the idle facilities and takes into consideration updates each quarter for market developments affecting the potential utilization of each of the facilities in order to identify events that may cause the Company to reconsider the most recent assumptions. Such events could include negotiations with a prospective customer for the utilization of an idle facility at terms significantly less favorable than the terms used in the Company's most recent impairment analysis, or changes in legislation surrounding a particular facility that could impact the Company's ability to house certain types of individuals at such facility. Further, a substantial increase in the number of available beds at other facilities the Company owns, or in the marketplace, could lead to deterioration in market conditions and projected cash flows. Although they are not frequently received, an unsolicited offer to purchase any of the Company's idle facilities, at amounts that are less than their carrying value could also cause the Company to reconsider the assumptions used in the most recent impairment analysis. The Company has identified marketing prospects to utilize each of the remaining currently idled facilities and has determined that no current impairment exists. The Company has also received valuations from a third party on certain facilities. However, the Company can provide no assurance that it will be able to secure management contracts to utilize its idle facilities, or that it will not incur impairment charges in the future. In all cases, the undiscounted cash flows in the Company’s analysis as of December 31, 2023, exceeded the carrying amounts of each facility, therefore no impairment charges were recorded.

The Company's evaluations also take into consideration historical experience in securing new facility management contracts to utilize facilities that had been previously idled for periods comparable to or in excess of the periods the Company's currently idle facilities have been idle. Such previously idled facilities are currently being operated under contracts that generate cash flows resulting in the recoverability of the net book value of the previously idled facilities by substantial amounts. Due to a variety of factors, the lead time to negotiate contracts with federal and state agencies to utilize idle bed capacity is generally lengthy which has historically resulted in periods of idleness similar to the ones the Company is currently experiencing.

By their nature, these estimates contain uncertainties with respect to the extent and timing of the respective cash flows due to potential delays or material changes to forecasted terms and conditions in contracts with prospective customers that could impact the estimate of projected cash flows. Notwithstanding the effects the current economy has had on the Company's customers for available beds in the short term which has led to the Company’s decision to idle certain facilities, the Company believes the long-term trends favor an increase in the utilization of its idle facilities. This belief is also based on the Company's experience in working with governmental agencies faced with significant budgetary challenges which is a primary contributing factor to the lack of appropriated funding to build new bed capacity by federal and state agencies.

Leases

The Company determines whether a contract is or contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment (an identified asset) for a period of time in exchange for consideration. For leases with terms greater than 12 months, the Company records the related asset and obligation at the present value of the lease payments over the term of the lease. Many of GEO's leases include rental escalation clauses, renewal options and/or termination options that are factored into the determination of lease payments when appropriate. Only renewal or termination options that are reasonably certain to be exercised by the Company are included in the lease term which is used in the calculation of lease liabilities and right-of-use assets. In addition, lease agreements may include periodic adjustments to payment amounts for inflation or other variables, or may require payments for taxes, insurance, maintenance or other expenses, which are generally referred to as non-lease components. The Company accounts for non-lease components together with the related lease components for all classes of leased assets. The Company does not typically enter into lease agreements that contain a residual guarantee or that provide for variable lease payments.

When available, the Company uses the rate implicit in the lease to discount lease payments to present value, however, most of GEO's lease agreements do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate. Therefore, the Company must estimate its incremental borrowing rate to discount the lease payments based on information available at lease commencement.

For leases where the Company is the lessor, upon adoption of ASC 842, the Company elected to also apply the practical expedient to not

separate non-lease components from the associated lease component if certain criteria are met for each class of underlying assets. Lease components are elements of an arrangement that provide the customer with the right to use an identified asset. Non-lease components are distinct elements of a contract that are not related to securing the use of the leased asset and revenue is recognized in accordance with ASC 606. The Company considers common area maintenance ("CAM") and service income associated with tenant work orders to be non-lease components because they represent delivery of a separate service but are not considered a cost of securing the identified asset. In the case of the Company’s business, the identified asset would be the leased real estate. The Company assessed and concluded that the timing and pattern of transfer for non-lease components and the associated lease component are the same. The Company determined that the predominant component was the lease

component and as such its leases continue to qualify as operating leases. The Company made a policy election to account for and present the lease component and the non-lease component as a single component in revenue.

Assets Held under Finance Leases

Assets held under finance leases are recorded at the lower of the net present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased asset at the inception of the lease. Amortization expense is recognized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the related lease and is included in depreciation expense.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net

Goodwill

The Company has recorded goodwill as a result of its business combinations. Goodwill is recorded as the difference, if any, between the aggregate consideration paid for an acquisition and the fair value of the net tangible assets and other intangible assets acquired. The Company's goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment annually on the first day of the fourth quarter, and whenever events or circumstances arise that indicate impairment may have occurred. Impairment testing is performed for all reporting units that contain goodwill. The reporting units are the same as the reportable segments for U.S. Secure Services, Electronic Monitoring and Supervision Services, Reentry Services and International Services.

On the annual measurement date of October 1, 2023, the Company's management elected to qualitatively assess the Company's goodwill for impairment for two of its reporting units. Under provisions of the qualitative analysis, when testing goodwill for impairment, the Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company performs a quantitative impairment test to identify goodwill impairment and measures the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized, if any. The Company will also perform a quantitative test if it has been several years since the last one. The qualitative factors used by the Company’s management to determine the likelihood that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount include, among other things, a review of overall economic conditions and their current and future impact on the Company’s existing business, the Company’s financial performance and stock price, industry outlook and market competition. With respect to the qualitative assessments, management determined that, as of October 1, 2023, it was more likely than not that the fair values of the reporting units exceeded their carrying values. The Company performed a quantitative analysis for its Electronic Monitoring and Supervision Services reporting unit using a third-party valuation firm to determine the estimated fair value of the reporting unit using a discounted cash flow model. A discount rate of 11.5% was utilized to adjust the cash flow forecasts based on the Company’s estimate of a market participant’s weighted-average cost of capital. Growth rates for sales and profits were determined using inputs from the Company’s long-term planning process. The Company also made estimates for discount rates and other factors based on market conditions, historical experience and other economic factors. Changes in these factors could significantly impact the fair value of the reporting unit. With respect to the Electronic Monitoring and Supervision Services reporting unit that was assessed quantitatively, management determined that the fair value exceeded its carrying value by a significant amount. A significant change in one or combination of the assumptions discussed above could have impacted the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. If the Company’s expectations of future results and cash flows decrease significantly or other economic conditions deteriorate, goodwill may be further impaired. No impairment charges were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 or 2021.

Other Intangible Assets, Net

The Company has also recorded other finite and indefinite lived intangible assets as a result of previously completed business combinations. Other acquired finite and indefinite lived intangible assets are recognized separately if the benefit of the intangible asset is obtained through contractual or other legal rights, or if the intangible asset can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged, regardless of the Company’s intent to do so. The Company’s intangible assets include facility management contracts, trade names and technology. The facility management contracts represent customer relationships in the form of management contracts acquired at the time of each business combination; the value of BI’s and Protocol Criminal Justice, Inc.'s ("Protocol") trade names represent, among other intangible benefits, name recognition to its customers and intellectual property rights; and the acquired technology represented BI’s innovation with respect to its GPS tracking, monitoring, radio frequency monitoring, voice verification monitoring and alcohol compliance systems which became fully amortized as of December 31, 2023. When establishing useful lives, the Company considers the period and the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset are consumed or otherwise used up; or, if that pattern cannot be reliably determined, using a straight-line amortization method over a period that may be shorter than the ultimate life of such intangible asset. The Company also considers the impact of renewal terms when establishing useful lives. The Company currently amortizes its acquired facility management contracts over periods ranging from three to twenty-one years and its acquired technology over seven years to eight years. There is no residual value associated with the Company’s finite-lived intangible assets. The Company reviews its trade name assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate

that the carrying amount of such assets may not be fully recoverable. The Company does not amortize its indefinite lived intangible assets. The Company reviews its indefinite lived intangible assets annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The qualitative factors used by GEO’s management to determine the likelihood that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount include, among other things, a review of overall economic conditions and their current and future impact on our existing business, our financial performance and stock price, industry outlook and market competition. These reviews resulted in no significant impairment to the carrying value of the indefinite lived intangible assets for all periods presented. The Company records the costs associated with renewal and extension of facility management contracts as expenses in the period they are incurred.

Internal-Use Software

Costs incurred to develop software for internal use are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful lives of the software. Costs related to design or maintenance of internal-use software are expensed as incurred. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, included in Property and Equipment, Net is approximately $12.6 million and $9.9 million of capitalized internal-use software costs, respectively.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $15.3 million and $44.1 million, totaling $43.8 million and $32.5 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, are included in Long-Term Debt, Non-Recourse Debt and Other Non-Current Assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and are amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the related debt. Refer to Note 11 - Debt for discussion of debt issuance costs written off in connection with the Company's exchange offer.

Lease Revenue

The Company leases nine of its owned facilities to unrelated parties. Six of which have a month to month term through June 2024. The carrying value of these leased facilities as of December 31, 2023 is $47.0 million, net of accumulated depreciation of $24.2 million. For the additional three leased facilities, one facility has a term that expires in February 2025. The carrying value of this leased facility as of December 31, 2023 was $1.9 million, net of accumulated depreciation of $0.7 million. One facility has a term of sixty-six months with one-year renewal options which base term expires in October 2028. The carrying value of this leased facility as of December 31, 2023 was $76.0 million, net of accumulated depreciation of $32.8 million. The remaining facility has a term of twenty years with renewals and expires in October 2041. The carrying value of this leased facility as of December 31, 2023 was $21.7 million, net of accumulated depreciation of $17.0 million. Rental income, included in Revenues, for leased facilities for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was approximately $11.4 million, $5.6 million and $1.8 million. As of December 31, 2023, future minimum rentals to be received on these leases are as follows:


	Annual Rental
Year	(in thousands)
2024	$	13,588
2025		12,457
2026		12,525
2027		12,539
2028		11,214
Thereafter		58,162
Total	$	120,485

Variable Interest Entities

The Company evaluates its joint ventures and other entities in which it has a variable interest (a “VIE”), generally in the form of investments, loans, guarantees, or equity in order to determine if it has a controlling financial interest and is required to consolidate the entity as a result. The reporting entity with a variable interest that provides the entity with a controlling financial interest in the VIE will have both of the following characteristics: (i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb the losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

The Company does not consolidate its 50% owned South African joint venture interest in SACS, a VIE. SACS joint venture investors are GEO and Kensani Corrections, Pty. Ltd (an independent third party); each partner owns a 50% share. The Company has determined it is not the primary beneficiary of SACS since it does not have the power to direct the activities of SACS that most significantly impact its performance. As such, the Company's investment in this entity is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. SACS was established and subsequently, in 2001, was awarded a 25-year contract to design, finance and build the Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Centre in Louis Trichardt, South Africa. To fund the construction of the prison, SACS obtained long-term financing from its equity partners and lenders, the

repayment of which is fully guaranteed by the South African government, except in the event of default, in which case the government guarantee is reduced to 80%. The Company's maximum exposure for loss under this contract is limited to its investment in the joint venture of approximately $9.1 million at December 31, 2023.

The Company does not consolidate its 50% owned joint venture in the United Kingdom. In February 2011, GEO UK, executed a Shareholders Agreement (the “Shareholders Agreement”) with Amey Community Limited (“Amey”) and Amey UK PLC (“Amey Guarantor”) to form GEOAmey, a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. GEOAmey was formed by GEO UK and Amey (an independent third party) for the purpose of performing escort and related custody services in England, Wales and Scotland. In order to form this private company, GEOAmey issued share capital of £100 divided into 100 shares of £1 each and allocated the shares 50/50 to GEO UK and Amey. GEO UK and Amey each have three directors appointed to the Board of Directors and neither party has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the performance of GEOAmey. As such, the Company's investment in this entity is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company's maximum exposure for loss under this contract is limited to its investment in the joint venture of approximately $11.2 million at December 31, 2023.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (“exit price”). The Company carries certain of its assets and liabilities at fair value, measured on a recurring basis, in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company also has certain assets and liabilities which are not carried at fair value in its accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and discloses the fair value measurements compared to the carrying values as of each balance sheet date. The Company’s fair value measurements are disclosed in Note 8 - Financial Instruments and Note 9 - Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities. The Company establishes fair value of its assets and liabilities using a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels which distinguish between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and the Company’s assumptions (unobservable inputs). The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the respective fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the measurement in its entirety. Level 1 inputs are quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are other than quotable market prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly through corroboration with observable market data. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the assets or liabilities that reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The Company recognizes transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 as of the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that cause the transfer.

Revenue Recognition

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 and electronic monitoring 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. One of GEO's international contracts, related to its Ravenhall facility (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 include 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 is measured quarterly and there was no significant constraint on the estimate of such variable consideration for this contract during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

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 related to 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 December 31, 2023 or 2022.

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 December 31, 2023 or 2022. Revenue recognized during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 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 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 receivables or unearned revenue balances during the periods 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:


	Year Ended December 31, 2023 (in thousands)
	U.S. Secure Services		Electronic Monitoring and Supervision Services		Reentry Services		International		Total
Owned and Leased: Secure Services	$	1,140,548	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,140,548
Owned and Leased: Community-based		—		—		166,987		—		166,987
Managed Only		377,744		—		5,093		193,894		576,731
Electronic Monitoring Services and Other Reentry		—		425,879		103,022		—		528,901
Total Revenues	$	1,518,292	$	425,879	$	275,102	$	193,894	$	2,413,167


	Year Ended December 31, 2022 (in thousands)
	U.S. Secure Services		Electronic Monitoring and Supervision Services		Reentry Services		International		Total
Owned and Leased - Secure Services	$	1,109,923	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,109,923
Owned and Leased - Community-based		—		—		155,932		—		155,932
Owned and Leased - Youth Services		—		—		—		—		—
Managed Only		327,908		—		6,913		187,200		522,021
Electronic Monitoring Services and Other Reentry		—		496,268		92,583		—		588,851
Total Revenues	$	1,437,831	$	496,268	$	255,428	$	187,200	$	2,376,727


	Year Ended December 31, 2021 (in thousands)
	U.S Secure Services		Electronic Monitoring and Supervision Services		Reentry Services		International		Total
Owned and Leased - Secure Services	$	1,127,688	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,127,688
Owned and Leased - Community-based		—		—		150,888		—		150,888
Owned and Leased - Youth Services		—		—		33,920		—		33,920
Managed Only		361,248		—		3,977		213,849		579,074
Electronic Monitoring Services and Other Reentry		—		278,934		86,108		—		365,042
Total Revenues	$	1,488,936	$	278,934	$	274,893	$	213,849	$	2,256,612

Owned and Leased - Secure Services

GEO recognizes revenue for secure 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 its 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 secure services discussed above. GEO provides individuals nearing the end of their judicially imposed 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 secure services 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 recognized revenues for youth services where GEO owned or leased 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 were 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 paid for these services based on a net rate per day per individual. On July 1, 2021, the Company completed a divestiture of its youth division.

Managed Only

GEO recognizes revenue for its managed only contracts in the same manner as its Owned and Leased Secure Services 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.

Electronic Monitoring and Supervision Services and Other Reentry

Electronic Monitoring and Supervision Services and Other Reentry revenue consist 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 electronic 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.

Income Taxes

The consolidated financial statements reflect provisions for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, as well as operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of a change in tax rates is recognized as income in the period that includes the enactment date. Refer to Note 16 - Income Taxes. For years prior to 2021, the Company was taxed as a REIT and did not expect to pay federal income taxes at the REIT level (including its qualified REIT subsidiaries). However, our wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiaries were fully subject to federal, state and foreign income taxes, as applicable. While a REIT, the Company was required to distribute at least 90% of its REIT level taxable income to shareholders, and the resulting dividends paid deduction offset its REIT taxable income. Consequently, while a REIT, since the Company did not expect to pay taxes on its REIT taxable income, it was not able to recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Deferred income taxes are determined based on the estimated future tax effects of differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities given the provisions of enacted tax laws. Significant judgments are required to determine the consolidated provision for income taxes. Deferred income tax provisions and benefits are based on changes to the assets or liabilities from year to year. Realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets is dependent upon many factors such as tax regulations applicable to the jurisdictions in which the Company operates, estimates of future taxable income and the character of such taxable income.

Additionally, the Company must use judgment in addressing uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations. If actual circumstances differ from the Company’s assumptions, adjustments to the carrying value of deferred tax assets or liabilities may be required, which may result in an adverse impact on the results of its operations and its effective tax rate. Valuation allowances are recorded related to deferred tax assets based on the “more likely than not” criteria. The Company has not made any significant changes to the way it accounts for its deferred tax assets and liabilities in any year presented in the consolidated financial statements. Based on its estimate of future earnings and its favorable earnings history, the Company currently expects full realization of the deferred tax assets net of any recorded valuation allowances. Furthermore, tax positions taken by the Company may not be fully sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities. In determining the adequacy of our provision (benefit) for income taxes, potential settlement outcomes resulting from income tax examinations are regularly assessed. As such, the final outcome of tax examinations, including the total amount payable or the timing of any such payments upon resolution of these issues, cannot be estimated with certainty.

Reserves for Insurance Losses

The nature of the Company’s business exposes it to various types of third-party legal claims, including, but not limited to, civil rights claims relating to conditions of confinement and/or mistreatment, sexual misconduct claims brought by individuals within our care, 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, contractual claims and claims for personal injury or other damages resulting from contact with our facilities, programs, electronic monitoring products, personnel or individuals within our care, including damages arising from the escape of an individual in the Company’s care or from a disturbance or riot at a facility. In addition, the Company’s management contracts generally require it to indemnify the governmental agency against any damages to which the governmental agency may be subject in connection with such claims or litigation. The Company maintains a broad program of insurance coverage for these general types of claims, except for claims relating to employment matters, for which the Company carries no insurance. There can be no assurance that the Company’s insurance coverage will be adequate to cover all claims to which it may be exposed. It is the Company’s general practice to bring merged or acquired companies into its corporate master policies in order to take advantage of certain economies of scale.

On October 1, 2021, GEO formed a wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary, Florina Insurance Company, Inc. (“Florina”), to enhance its risk financing strategies. Florina is incorporated in the state of Vermont and is licensed and regulated by the state of Vermont, including with respect to its insurance programs, levels of liquidity and other requirements. GEO began procuring insurance policies to cover deductibles for workers’ compensation, general liability, automobile liability, medical professional liability and directors' and officers’ liability as well as procuring insurance policies for excess liability and excess medical professional liability through Florina effective October 1, 2021. Florina holds cash and investments in order to meet solvency requirements and meet financial obligations as presented, including an investment portfolio of marketable fixed income and equity securities.

The Company currently maintains a general liability policy and excess liability policies with total limits of $75.0 million per occurrence and $95.0 million total general liability annual aggregate limits covering the operations of U.S. Secure Services, Reentry Services and Electronic Monitoring and Supervision Services. The Company has an occurrence based liability insurance program with a specific loss limit of $40.0 million per occurrence and in the aggregate related to medical professional liability claims arising out of correctional healthcare services.

The Company is uninsured for any claims in excess of these limits. We also maintain insurance to cover property and other casualty risks including, workers’ compensation, environmental liability, cybersecurity liability and automobile liability.

For most casualty insurance policies, the Company carries substantial deductibles or self-insured retentions of $4.0 million per occurrence for general liability and $5.0 million per occurrence for medical professional liability, $2.0 million per occurrence for workers’ compensation, $2.5 million per occurrence for directors' and officers’ liability and $1.0 million per occurrence for automobile liability. In addition, certain of the Company’s facilities located in Florida and other high-risk hurricane areas carry substantial windstorm deductibles. Since hurricanes are considered unpredictable future events, no reserves have been established to pre-fund for potential windstorm damage. Limited commercial availability of certain types of insurance relating to windstorm exposure in coastal areas and earthquake exposure mainly in California and the Pacific Northwest may prevent the Company from insuring some of its facilities to full replacement value.

With respect to operations in South Africa and Australia, the Company utilizes a combination of locally procured insurance and global policies to meet contractual insurance requirements and protect the Company.

Of the insurance policies discussed above, the Company’s most significant insurance reserves relate to workers’ compensation, general liability and auto claims. These reserves, which include Florina’s reserves and GEO’s legacy reserves and administrative costs for the plans, are undiscounted and were $65.6 million and $79.0 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and are included in Accrued Expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company uses statistical and actuarial methods to estimate amounts for claims that have been reported but not paid and claims incurred but not reported. In applying these methods and assessing their results, the Company considers such factors as historical frequency and severity of claims at each of its facilities, claim development, payment patterns and changes in the nature of its business, among other factors. Such factors are analyzed for each of the Company’s business segments. The Company estimates may be impacted by such factors as increases in the market price for medical services and unpredictability of the size of jury awards. The Company also may experience variability between its estimates and the actual settlement due to limitations inherent in the estimation process, including its ability to estimate costs of processing and settling claims in a timely manner as well as its ability to accurately estimate the Company’s exposure at the onset of a claim. Because the Company has high deductible insurance policies, the amount of its insurance expense is dependent on its ability to control its claims experience. If actual losses related to insurance claims significantly differ from the Company’s estimates, its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely impacted.

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 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 in the consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity.

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to GEO included in the consolidated statement of shareholders' equity are as follows (in thousands):


	Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.			Unrealized (loss) gain on derivatives, net of tax			Change Marketable Securities, net of tax			Pension adjustments, net of tax			Total
Balance, January 1, 2023	$	(20,015	)	$	3,645		$	(953	)	$	404		$	(16,919	)
Current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		260			(604	)		953			(332	)		277
Balance, December 31, 2023	$	(19,755	)	$	3,041		$	—		$	72		$	(16,642	)


	Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to The GEO Group, Inc.			Unrealized loss on derivatives, net of tax			Change Marketable Securities, net of tax			Pension adjustments, net of tax			Total
Balance, January 1, 2022	$	(12,461	)	$	(2,524	)	$	7		$	(5,238	)	$	(20,216	)
Current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(7,554	)		6,169			(960	)		5,642			3,297
Balance, December 31, 2022	$	(20,015	)	$	3,645		$	(953	)	$	404		$	(16,919	)

There were no reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during the years ended December 31, 2023 or 2022.

The foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax, related to noncontrolling interests was not significant for the years ended December 31, 2023 or 2022.

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company’s foreign operations use their local currencies as their functional currencies. Assets and liabilities of the operations are translated at the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet date and shareholders’ equity is translated at historical rates. Income statement items are translated at the average exchange rates for the year. Any adjustment resulting from translating the financial statements of the foreign subsidiary is reflected as other comprehensive income, net of related tax. Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are included in the statement of operations.

Derivatives

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 and records derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. For derivatives that are designed as and qualify as effective cash flow hedges, the portion of gain or loss on the derivative instrument effective at offsetting changes in the hedged item is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings. For derivative instruments that are designated as and qualify as effective fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative instruments as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged items attributable to the hedged risk is recognized in current earnings as interest income (expense) during the period of the change in fair values. For derivative instruments that do not meet the requirements for hedge accounting, changes in fair value are recorded in earnings. Derivative instruments are classified in the same category as cash flows from the items being hedged and any related gains and losses are reported as financing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedge items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes attributing all derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges to floating rate liabilities and attributing all derivatives that are designated as fair value hedges to fixed rate liabilities. The Company also assesses whether each derivative is highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item. Fluctuations in the value of the derivative instruments are generally offset by changes in the hedged item; however, if it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or if a derivative ceases to be a highly effective hedge, the Company will discontinue hedge accounting prospectively for the affected derivative.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The Company recognizes the cost of stock-based compensation awards based upon the grant date fair value of those awards. The impact of forfeitures that may occur prior to vesting is also estimated and considered in the amount recognized. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period, which is typically the vesting period.

The fair value of stock-based option awards was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for options awarded during years 2023, 2022 and 2021:


	2023			2022			2021
Risk free interest rates		4.27	%		1.56	%		0.24	%
Expected term	4-5 years			4-5 years			4-5 years
Expected volatility		52	%		48	%		43	%
Expected dividend rate [1]		—			—			13.30	%

[1] As previously discussed, the Board elected to terminate the Company’s REIT election and discontinue its quarterly dividend. The assumptions above were used to determine the fair value of stock-based option awards granted prior to the Board’s suspension and discontinuation of quarterly dividends.

The Company uses historical data to estimate award exercises and employee terminations/forfeitures within the valuation model. The expected term of the awards represents the period of time that awards granted are expected to be outstanding and is based on historical data and expected holding periods. The maximum contractual term of stock-based option awards is ten years. The Company issues shares of its common stock upon the exercise of stock-based option awards out of its reserve established for its Amended and Restated 2018 Stock Option Incentive Plan.

For restricted stock share-based awards that contain a performance condition, the achievement of the targets must be probable before any share-based compensation is recorded. If subsequent to the 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.

For restricted stock share-based awards that contain a market condition, the probability of satisfying the market condition is 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 restricted stock awards granted in 2023, 2022 and 2021 with market-based performance conditions was determined based on a Monte Carlo simulation, which calculates a range of possible outcomes and the probabilities that they will occur, using the following average key assumptions:


	2023			2022			2021
Expected volatility		62.9	%		57.5	%		48.2	%
Beta		0.92			0.93			0.79
Risk free interest rate		4.60	%		1.45	%		0.22	%

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share of common stock is computed by dividing the net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. available to common stockholders represents net income attributable to The GEO Group, Inc. reduced by an allocation of earnings to participating securities. The 6.50% Exchangeable Notes due 2026, which contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends declared and paid on the shares of common stock, are participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. Diluted EPS is calculated under the if-converted method and the two-class method for each class of shareholders using the weighted average number of shares attributable to each class. The calculation that results in the lowest diluted earnings per share amount for common stock is reported in the Company’s financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The following accounting standard will be adopted in future periods:

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (Topic 280). This ASU updates reportable segment disclosure requirements by requiring disclosures of significant reportable segment expenses that are regularly provided to the CODM and included within each reported measure of a segment's profit or loss. This ASU also requires disclosure of the title and position of the individual identified as the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measures of a segment’s profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Adoption of the ASU should be applied

retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is also permitted. This ASU will likely result in the Company including the additional required disclosures when adopted. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of this ASU and expect to adopt them for the year ending December 31, 2024.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (Topic 740). The ASU requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as additional information on income taxes paid. The ASU is effective on a prospective basis for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is also permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. This ASU will result in the required additional disclosures being included in the Company's consolidated financial statements, once adopted.

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.