4955 Technology Way

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

Telephone: (561) 893-0101

March 19, 202117, 2023

Dear Shareholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 20212023 annual meeting of the shareholders of The GEO Group, Inc. We will hold the meeting virtually, conducted via live audio webcast on Wednesday,Friday, April 28, 2021,2023, at 10:00 A.M. (EDT).

This year we are furnishing proxy materials to our shareholders primarily on the Internet rather than mailing paper copies of the materials to each shareholder. As a result, most of you will receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials instead of paper copies of this proxy statement and our annual report. The notice contains instructions on how to access the proxy statement and the annual report over the Internet, as well as instructions on how to request a paper copy of our proxy materials. This process significantly lowers the costs of printing and distributing our proxy materials. On or about March 19, 2021,17, 2023, we mailed to shareholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.

Your vote is very important to us. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting virtually, your shares should be represented and voted. After reading the enclosed proxy statement, please vote your shares as soon as possible. Shareholders may vote via the Internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GEO2021GEO2023, by telephone, or by completing and returning a proxy card. Submitting a vote before the annual meeting will not preclude you from voting virtually at the meeting should you decide to attend. If you wish to participate in the meeting, please refer to pages 63-6565-66 for additional guidelines.

Sincerely,

George C. Zoley

Chairman of the Board,

Chief Executive Officer and FounderChairman

TABLE OF CONTENTS

APPENDIX A THE GEO GROUP, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2018 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

APPENDIX B THE GEO GROUP, INC. EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

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PROXY STATEMENT

THE GEO GROUP, INC.

4955 Technology Way

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

Telephone: (561) 893-0101

March 19, 202117, 2023

The GEO Group, Inc. (“GEO,” the “Company,” “we” or “us”) is furnishing this proxy statement in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our board of directors (the “Board of Directors” or “Board”) for use at the annual meeting of shareholders on April 28, 2021,2023, at 10:00 A.M., Eastern Daylight Time. This year’s annual meeting will be a virtual meeting of shareholders, conducted via live audio webcast. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting online, vote your shares electronically and submit your questions during the Annual Meeting via a live audio webcast by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GEO2021.GEO2023. Please note that the proxy card provides a means to withhold authority to vote for any individual director nominee. Also note that the format of the proxy card provides an opportunity to specify your choice between approval, disapproval or abstention with respect to any individual director nominee and the proposals indicated on the proxy card. A proxy card which is properly executed, returned and not revoked will be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated. A proxy voted by telephone or the Internet and not revoked will be voted in accordance with the shareholder’s instructions. If no instructions are given, proxies that are signed and returned or voted by telephone or the Internet will be voted as follows:

“FOR” the election of the nominated directors for the ensuing year;

“FOR” the proposal to ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the independent registered public accountants of GEO for the fiscal year 2021;2023;

“FOR” the advisory approval of the resolution on named executive officer compensation;

“FOR” the proposal to approveoption of one year as the Amendedpreferred frequency for future advisory votes on executive compensation; and Restated 2018 Stock Incentive Plan;

“FOR” the proposal to approve the Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan; and

“AGAINST” the shareholder proposal regarding an annual Lobbying Report,a third-party racial equity audit and report, if properly presented before the meeting.

Under New York Stock Exchange rules, brokerage firms have authority to vote shares on routine matters for which their customers do not provide voting instructions. The ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accountants for 20212023 is considered a routine matter. As a result, if you hold your shares through a broker and do not direct the broker how to vote your shares on this routine matter, your broker may vote the shares on your behalf.

Under New York Stock Exchange rules, the election of directors, the advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation, the proposal to approveadvisory vote on the Amended and Restated 2018 Stock Incentive Plan,frequency for the proposal to approve the Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Planadvisory vote on executive compensation and the shareholder proposal are not considered a routine matter.matters. As a result, if a brokerage firm does not receive voting instructions from the beneficial owner of shares held by the firm, those shares will not be voted and will be considered broker non-votes with respect to those matters. A broker non-vote will have no effect on the election of directors, the advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation, the advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation and the shareholder proposal.

This proxy statement, the notice of annual meeting, the proxy card and our 20202022 annual report will be mailed or made accessible via the Internet on or about March 19, 2021.17, 2023.

Management is not aware of any other matters to be presented for action by shareholders at the annual meeting.

The presence, in person or by proxy, of at least a majority of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on the record date will constitute a quorum for purposes of the annual meeting. The election of directors requires a majority of the votes cast. The appointment of Grant Thornton LLP will be ratified if the number of votes cast in favor of ratification exceeds the number of votes cast against ratification. The advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation will be approved if the number of votes cast in favor of approval exceeds the number of votes cast against approval. The proposal to approvealternative receiving the Amended and Restated 2018 Stock Incentive Plan will be approved if thegreatest number of votes cast in favorwith respect to the advisory vote on the frequency of approval exceeds the number of votes cast against approval. The proposal to approve the Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Planadvisory vote on executive compensation will be approved ifconsidered the number of votes cast in favor of approval exceeds the number of votes cast against approval.frequency that shareholders approve. The shareholder proposal will be approved if the number of votes cast in favor of approval exceeds the number cast against approval. Shares of common stock represented by proxies that reflect abstentions or “broker non-votes” (i.e., shares held by a broker or nominee which are represented at the annual meeting, but with respect to which such broker or nominee is not empowered to vote on a particular proposal) will be counted as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum for the proposal but will not be counted as “votes cast” with respect to the election of directors, the advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation, the proposal to approveadvisory vote on the Amended and Restated 2018 Stock Incentive Plan,frequency of the proposal to approve the Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Planadvisory vote on executive compensation and the shareholder proposal. If less than the majority of the outstanding shares of common stock are represented at the annual meeting, a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the annual meeting to another date and time.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder

Meeting to be held on Wednesday,Friday, April 28, 20212023 at 10:00 a.m. The Proxy Statement

and 20202022 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at www.proxyvote.com.www.proxyvote.com.

Any person giving a proxy has the power to revoke it any time before it is voted by providing written notice to GEO addressed to the Corporate Secretary, by executing and delivering a later dated proxy, or by participating in the meeting and voting the shares electronically.

The costs of preparation, assembly and mailing this proxy statement and the accompanying materials will be borne by GEO. GEO will also pay the cost of soliciting your proxy and reimbursing brokerage firms and others for forwarding proxy materials to you. Certain of GEO’s officers, directors and employees may participate in the solicitation of proxies by mail, personal interview, letter, fax and telephone without additional consideration.

PROPOSAL 1:

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Director Nominees

GEO’s boardBoard of directorsDirectors is currently comprised of nine (9)ten (10) members. Nine directors are nominated for election at our annual meeting, including seven independent directors, our Executive Chairman and our Chief Executive Officer. All of the nominees are presently directors of GEO. Except for Mr. HelkowskiMs. Koren, who was appointed to GEO’s board of directors subsequent to GEO’s 20202022 annual meeting, all nominees were elected by the shareholders at GEO’s 20202022 annual meeting. Each director is elected to serve a one-year term, with all directors subject to annual election. Anne N. Foreman, who has served on the Board since 2002 is not standing for re-election. Accordingly, she is not included as a nominee for election at the annual meeting. The Board thanks Ms. Foreman for her years of service to The GEO Group, Inc. and substantial contributions to the Board and our shareholders. Effective as of the annual meeting, our authorized number of directors will be reduced to nine.

If instructed, the persons named on the accompanying proxy card will vote for the election of the nominees named below to serve for the ensuing year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. If any nominee for director shall become unavailable (which management has no reason to believe will be the case), it is intended that the shares represented by the enclosed proxy card will be voted for any such replacement or substitute nominee as may be nominated by the board of directors.

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Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The board of directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” each of the nine nominees for director.

James H. Black — Mr. Black joined GEO in June 1998 as Senior Warden of a GEO correctional facility. Mr. Black has more than 37 years of experience in corrections and currently serves as the Senior Vice President where he oversaw 23 facilities with a capacity of more than 30,000 beds and nearly 6,000 employees. In 2020, Mr. Davis became the President of GEO Secure Services and nowServices. In this role, Mr. Black oversees approximately 79,000 beds and over 17,000 employees at 68 diverse facilities across the U.S., Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

Mr. DavisBlack began his career in 1988corrections in 1985 as a Correctional Officer atwith the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI)Texas Department of Phoenix, Arizona. He was subsequently promotedCriminal Justice (TDCJ). Over the next eight years, he rose through the ranks to Case Manager at FCI Phoenix, and then to Unit Manager at FCI Safford, Arizona, in 1996. In August 1998,the position of Senior Warden. After joining GEO, he was selectedserved as Executive Assistant and Public Information

During his 30-year career at Balfour Beatty Construction, Mr. Long has held positions of Civil Engineer, Project Engineer, Chief Estimator, Assistant Project Manager, Vice President of Preconstruction, Senior Vice President of Business Acquisition, and Senior Vice President & South Florida Business Unit Leader responsible for leading Balfour Beatty’s $600 million annual South Florida business.

With 32over 30 years of construction experience, Mr. Long also finds time for industry service. He is a long-time member and past-chairman of Florida’s largest chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (“ABC”). Additionally, as founding member and past-president of the Society of American Military Engineers (“SAME”) South Florida chapter, Mr. Long accepted multiple accolades at the association’s 2012 National Joint Engineer Training Conference.

Mr. Long received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri and a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from the University of Louisiana-Monroe.

Christopher D. Ryan — Mr. Ryan joined GEO in 2011 and has over 30 years of human resources experience. Since joining the company, Mr. Ryan has served in increasingly senior human resources positions, including the Director of Employee and Labor Relations, Vice President of Employee and Labor Relations, Executive Vice President of Human Resources, and was subsequently promoted to Senior Vice President of Human Resources in 2023. Mr. Ryan also leads the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. DEI remains a top business priority, given the fact that more diverse and inclusive companies tend to outperform other employers. Prior to joining The GEO Group, Mr. Ryan held numerous human resources leadership roles at American Airlines, Florida Power & Light and Southern Wine & Spirits of America. Mr. Ryan is also actively involved in the community and sits on the Board of Directors of several 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations serving youth and other residents of Palm Beach County, Florida.

Mr. Ryan holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Community Health Services from the State University of New York, Plattsburgh.

Ronald A. Brack — Mr. Brack assumed the role of Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller for the Company in August 2009. Mr. Brack was GEO’s Vice President and Controller from January 2008 to August 2009 and Controller from April 2007 to January 2008. Mr. Brack joined GEO in May 2005 as Assistant Controller. From 2000 until joining GEO, Mr. Brack was with Fort Lauderdale, Florida based NationsRent, Inc. where his most recent position was Assistant Controller. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Brack was with the Fort Lauderdale office of Arthur Andersen, LLP where his most recent position was Senior Auditor in the Audit and Business Advisory Services Group. Prior to that time, Mr. Brack spent over ten years in the fleet management business with World Omni Leasing, Inc. and GE Capital Fleet Services. Mr. Brack attended Florida Atlantic University and has a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Vanderbilt University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Shayn P. March — Mr. March joined GEO as Vice President of Finance and Treasurer in March 2009. Prior to joining GEO, Mr. March served as a Managing Director for the Corporate Investment Banking group at BNP Paribas, where he worked for eleven years in increasing capacities. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. March was employed at Sanwa Bank in the Corporate Finance Department. From 1988 to 1994, Mr. March was employed at UJB Financial in the Finance and Credit Audit Departments. Mr. March earned his Masters in Business Administration in Financial Management from the Lubin School of Business at Pace University and his Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Rutgers University.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table shows the number of shares of GEO’s common stock that were beneficially owned at March 8, 202113, 2023 (unless stated otherwise) by (i) each director and each nominee for election as director at the 20212023 annual meeting of shareholders, (ii) each named executive officer (“NEOs”) (as defined below), that is not a director, (iii) all directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group, and (iv) each person or group who was known by GEO to beneficially own more than 5% of GEO’s outstanding common stock.

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therefore currently comprised and will continue to be comprised subsequent to the annual meeting of a majority of independent directors. The board of directors’ determination that each of these directors is independent was based on the fact that none of the directors had a material relationship with GEO outside of such person’s position as a director, including a relationship that would disqualify such director from being considered independent under the NYSE’s listing standards.

Audit and Finance Committee

The Audit and Finance Committee met sixten times during fiscal year 2020.2022. The Report of the Audit and Finance Committee is included in this proxy statement.

All of the members of the Audit and Finance Committee established in accordance with section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are independent (as independence is defined under Exchange Act Rule 10A-3, as well as under Section 303A.02 of the NYSE’s listing standards). In addition, the board of directors has determined that Mr. Glanton is theMayotte and Mr. Shapiro qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined under Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K of the SEC’s rules.

The Audit and Finance Committee has a written charter adopted by the board of directors. It can be found on our website at http://www.geogroup.com by clicking on the link “Social Responsibility” on our homepage and then clicking on the links “Governance with Integrity-Corporate Governance.” In addition, the charter is available in print to any shareholder who requests it by contacting our Executive Vice President of Corporate Relations at 561-893-0101. Pursuant to the charter, the main functions and responsibilities of the Audit and Finance Committee include the following:

The Compensation Committee has a written charter adopted by the board of directors. It can be found on our website at http://www.geogroup.com by clicking on the link “Social Responsibility” on our homepage and then clicking on the links “Governance with Integrity-Corporate Governance.” In addition, the charter is available in print to any shareholder who requests it by contacting our Executive Vice President of Corporate Relations at 561-893-0101. Pursuant to the charter, the main functions and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee include the following:

Operations and Oversight Committee

The Operations and Oversight Committee reviews with management various issues relating to our operations that may arise from time to time.

Legal Steering Committee

The Legal Steering Committee reviews with management strategic issues with respect to material litigation and other discrete legal issues.

Independent Committee

The Independent Committee considers matters that may arise from time to time that the board of directors designates for independent director review.

Director Identification and Selection

The processes for director selection and director qualifications are set forth in Section 3 of our Corporate Governance Guidelines. The board of directors, acting on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, will nominate a slate of director candidates for election at each annual meeting of shareholders and will elect directors to fill vacancies, including vacancies created as a result of any increase in the size of the board, between annual meetings. Nominees for director are selected on the basis of outstanding achievement in their personal careers, broad experience, wisdom, integrity, ability to make independent, analytical inquiries, understanding of the business environment, and willingness to devote adequate time to the duties of the board of directors. The board believes that each director should have a basic understanding of (i) the principal operational and financial objectives and plans and strategies of GEO, (ii) the results of operations and financial condition of GEO and of any significant subsidiaries or business segments, and (iii) the relative standing of GEO and its business segments in relation to its competitors. The board is committed to diversified membership and it does not and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion or disability in selecting nominees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may, to the extent it deems appropriate, engage a third party professional search firm to identify and review new director candidates and their credentials.

There are no other differences between the considerations and qualifications for director nominees that are recommended by shareholders and director nominees recommended by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Other than adopting proxy access, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not adopted a formal process because it believes that the informal consideration process has been adequate to date. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee intends to review periodically whether a more formal policy should be adopted. If a shareholder wishes to suggest a proposed name of a nominee for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee outside of the proxy access process, the name of that nominee and related personal information should be forwarded to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, in care of the Corporate Secretary, at least six months before the next annual meeting to assure time for meaningful consideration by the committee.

Board Leadership Structure

Our CEO also serves asAlthough the Chairman of the board of directors. Richard H. Glanton has served as Lead Independent Director of the Company since January 1, 2011.

Mr. Glanton has been a director of GEO since 1998 and is currently the Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Independent Committee and a member of the Executive Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee,Guidelines provide that the OperationsBoard believes it is appropriate and Oversight Committee andefficient for the Legal Steering Committee. As the Lead Independent Director, Mr. Glanton has inputCompany’s Chief Executive Officer to thealso serve as Chairman of the Board, on preparation of agendas forthe Board and committee meetings. Mr. Glanton chairs Board meetings whenretains the Chairmanauthority to separate those functions if it deems such action appropriate.

As a result of the Board is notCEO succession discussed below in attendance and provides input to the independent directors and ensures that the effectiveness of the Board is assessed on a regular basis. The Lead Independent Director reports to the Board regarding deliberations of the independent directors and may recommend special meetings of the independent directors as necessary. Because of Mr. Glanton’s long history as a Board member and his service as the Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee, the Compensation CommitteeDiscussion & Analysis section of this proxy statement, the roles of Chief Executive Officer and the Independent Committee, the Board believes that Mr. Glanton is uniquely qualified to serveChairman are now held by two separate individuals. George C. Zoley serves as the Lead Independent Director of the Company. In 2012, in connection with our conversion to a REIT, Mr. Glanton was the chairman of a special committee created to reviewExecutive Chairman and manage the divestiture of GEO Care, Inc.Jose Gordo serves as our Chief Executive Officer.

As a company that is focused on its core business, we believe the CEOExecutive Chairman is in the best position to direct the independent directors’ attention on the issues of greatest importance to the Company and its shareholders. Since our CEOExecutive Chairman knows the Company’s business, is a pioneer in the industry and has over thirtyforty years of experience, we believe that our CEOExecutive Chairman is the appropriate person to lead the board of directors. Our overall corporate governance policies and practices combined with the strength of our independent directors, including our Lead Independent Director, and our internal controls minimize any potential conflicts that may result from combining the roles of Chairman and CEO.

We believe the current leadership structure of the board of directors supports the risk oversight functions described below by providing independent leadership at the Board and committee level through the Lead

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The board of directors has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to GEO’s directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives, including its consultants, which we refer to as the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct strives to deter wrongdoing and promote honest and ethical conduct, the avoidance of conflicts of interest, full, fair, accurate, timely and transparent disclosure, compliance with the applicable government and self-regulatory organization laws, rules and regulations, prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code of Conduct, and accountability for compliance with the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct can be found on our website at http://www.geogroup.com by clicking on the link “Social Responsibility” on our homepage and then clicking on the link “Governance with Integrity-Business Conduct & Ethics.” In addition, the Code of Conduct is available in print to any shareholder who requests it by contacting our Executive Vice President of Corporate Relations at 561-893-0101.

Code of Ethics for CEO, Senior Financial Officers and Other Employees

Pursuant to Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the board of directors has also adopted a code of ethics for the CEO, its senior financial officers and all other employees, which we refer to as the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers. The text of this Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers is located in Section 19 of GEO’s Code of Conduct. The Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers can be found on our website at http:// www.geogroup.com by clicking on the link “Social Responsibility” on our homepage and then clicking on the link “Governance with Integrity-Business Conduct & Ethics.” In addition, the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers is available in print to any shareholder who requests it by contacting our Executive Vice President of Corporate Relations at 561-893-0101.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The board of directors has adopted corporate governance guidelines to promote the effective functioning of the board of directors and its committees, and the continued implementation of good corporate governance practices. The corporate governance guidelines address matters such as the role and structure of the board of directors, the selection, qualifications and continuing education of members of the board of directors, board meetings, non-employee director executive sessions, board self-evaluation, board committees, CEO performance review, succession planning, non-employee director compensation, certain shareholder matters and certain shareholder rights.

of the board, including the presiding director for non-employee director executive sessions. Persons wishing to write to the board of directors of GEO, or to a specified director (including the presiding director for non-employee director executive sessions) or a committee of the board, should send correspondence to the Corporate Secretary at 4955 Technology Way, Boca Raton, Florida 33431.

The Corporate Secretary will forward to the directors all communications that, in his or her judgment, are appropriate for consideration by the directors. Examples of communications that would not be appropriate for consideration by the directors include commercial solicitations and matters not relevant to the shareholders, to the functioning of the board, or to the affairs of GEO.

Board Member Attendance at Annual Meetings

GEO encourages all of its directors to attend the annual meeting of shareholders. All of our directors except for Mr. Helkowski who was not a director at the time attended the 20202022 annual meeting of shareholders.

Publication of Annual Human Rights and ESG Report

On September 26, 2019, GEO published its first annual Human Rights and Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Report, which was based on 2018 data. The Report was developed referencing the Global Reporting Initiative Standards and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

GEO is committed to publishing an annual Human Rights and ESG Report. In 2020, GEO published its second annual Human Rights and ESG Report updating disclosures and metrics for the 2019 calendar year based on recognized ESG reporting standards, related to the development of our employees; our adherence to ethical governance practice throughout our company; and our efforts to advance environmental sustainability in the custodian and operation of our facilities.

In September 2021, GEO issued its third Human Rights and ESG report.

In October 2022, GEO issued its fourth Human Rights and ESG report. The 2019Human Rights and ESG report builds on the important milestone the Company achieved in 2013 when GEO’s Board adopted a Global Human Rights Policy by providing disclosures related to how the Company informs its employees of its commitment to respecting human rights; the criteria GEO uses to assess human rights performance; and GEO’s contract compliance program, remedies to shortcomings in human rights performance, and independent verification of GEO’s performance by third party organizations. The Human Rights and ESG report also addresses criteria, based on recognized ESG reporting standards, related to the development of GEO’s employees; its efforts to advance environmental sustainability in the construction and operation of the Company’s facilities; and the Company’s adherence to ethical governance practices throughout the Company. The report covers the year ended December 31, 2021 with supporting data from 2019-2021 where possible. The report showcases, among other items, the company-wide awareness and training programs, GEO’s commitment to a safe and humane environment for everyone in the Company’s care, employee diversity, addressing recidivism through the GEO Continuum of Care, the Company’s engagement efforts with its stakeholders, oversight and contract compliance, conservation measures and enhanced environmental sustainability efforts.

The ESG report was prepared with reference to the GRI Standards related to General Disclosures, Economic Topics, Environmental Topics and Social Topics based on the Global Reporting Initiative, or GRI, issued by the Global Sustainability Standards Board and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. GRI is an international independent standards organization created to help business, government and other organizations understand and communicate how their operations affect issues of global importance, such as human rights, corruption and climate change. GEO has referenced the GRI Standards and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights as the Company has recognized the need for a transparent and disciplined enterprise-wide approach. In GEO’s pursuit of this approach, it has begun with the following set of ongoing objectives:

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The 2021 Human Rights and ESG Report can be found at http:https://www.geogroup.com/Portals/0/HumanRightsESG2019.pdfESG.

Human Rights Risk Assessment/Due Diligence

In December 2021, GEO created a new Board committee focused on criminal justice rehabilitation and human rights. In an effort to continue building upon GEO’s commitment to human rights, the Company is continuing to work with various stakeholders to take steps to improve disclosures addressing the Company’s commitment to human rights and its performance related to salient human rights risks.

Over the last 10 years, GEO has engaged with several shareholders and other stakeholders on matters related to human rights and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) best practices, and as a result of this engagement, GEO’s Board of Directors adopted a Global Human Rights Policy, and corresponding human rights training program for its employees, in 2013.

In September 2019, in response to a shareholder proposal that was approved during the 2019 annual meeting of shareholders, GEO published its first annual Human Rights and ESG report. GEO subsequently issued its second and third annual Human Rights and ESG reports in 2020 and 2021, with additional, enhanced disclosures.

GEO has continued to engage with shareholders and other stakeholders to address the important topic of human rights. GEO is currently evaluating several initiatives to continue to enhance its ESG and human rights disclosures.

One of the initiatives GEO recently undertook during 2022 was conducting a Human Rights Risk Assessment and Due Diligence process. The process focused on identifying salient human rights and included interviews with and feedback from a diverse group of internal and external GEO stakeholders. The results of this due diligence process were incorporated into the fourth Human Rights and ESG report. Moving forward, GEO expects to evaluate additional human rights initiatives, including a future review of GEO’s Global Human Rights Policy and its implementation.

Enhanced Political and Lobbying Disclosure

In February 2023, GEO published its enhanced Political Activity and Lobbying Report disclosure for 2022. In light of a shareholder proposal approved during the 2021 annual meeting of shareholders regarding lobbying disclosures, GEO undertook a review of its previous disclosure.

Based on this review and taking into consideration the shareholder feedback as presented in the shareholder proposal, as well as feedback provided by shareholders regarding political contributions disclosures, GEO enhanced its report to provide additional, more detailed information with respect to GEO’s lobbying activities and political contributions made at the corporate level and through its political action committee.

The enhanced Political Activity and Lobbying Report provides new and more detailed disclosures on GEO’s policies on lobbying activities and political contributions; the oversight of these policies and activities by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors; the employee-funded, non-partisan GEO Political Action Committee; breakdowns of political contributions made during 2022; breakdowns and disclosures of both direct and indirect lobbying expenditures during 2022, including expenditures on government relations consultants for direct lobbying, as well as payments made to trade and membership associations and chambers of commerce, inclusive of the estimated portion of those payments that was used for lobbying purposes; and disclosures of the fact that GEO did not make any payments during 2022 that were used for grassroots lobbying communications and that GEO is not a member of, and did not make any payments during 2022 to, any tax-exempt organizations that write or endorse model legislation.

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