8-K
GEO GROUP INC false 0000923796 0000923796 2024-05-03 2024-05-03

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 3, 2024

 

 

THE GEO GROUP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Florida   1-14260   65-0043078

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

4955 Technology Way, Boca Raton, Florida   33431
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (561) 893-0101

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value   GEO   New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 


Section 5 Corporate Governance and Management

 

Item 5.02.

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

The GEO Group, Inc. (“GEO” or the “Company”) 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on May 3, 2024 (the “Annual Meeting”). At the Annual Meeting, the shareholders of the Company approved The GEO Group, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Amended 2018 Plan”).

The GEO Group, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2018 Stock Incentive Plan

On February 8, 2024, the Compensation Committee approved The GEO Group, Inc. Amended 2018 Plan, subject to shareholder approval. The Company believes the Amended 2018 Plan will advance the interests of the Company and its shareholders by: (i) increasing the number of shares authorized for issuance under The GEO Group, Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Prior 2018 Plan”), which will facilitate continuation of the Company’s equity compensation program, and (ii) incorporating the changes discussed below. The Prior 2018 Plan was approved by the shareholders on April 28, 2021. A summary of the principal provisions of the Amended 2018 Plan that modify the Prior 2018 Plan is presented below which is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Amended 2018 Plan, set forth as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Principal Provisions of the Amended 2018 Plan that Modify the Prior 2018 Plan

The principal provisions of the Amended 2018 Plan that modify the Prior 2018 Plan include those described below.

Increase in Authorized Number of Shares. The principal modification to the Prior 2018 Plan under the Amendment is an increase in the authorized number of shares available for issuance under the Amended 2018 Plan by 12,400,000 shares.

The Company believes that the increase in the number of shares available for issuance under the Amended 2018 Plan will enable it to continue to fulfill the purpose of the plan, which is to attract, motivate and retain its employees, directors and consultants, and provide them with the incentives to pursue the long-term profitability and success of the Company. In this regard, the Company believes that its equity awards promote achievement of longer term corporate goals, align the interests of plan participants with those of our shareholders and serve as an important element in its provision of equity compensation that is competitive with other companies seeking comparable talent. In addition, its equity awards are an important component of its compensation program and reinforce a pay-for-performance culture. The number of shares that remained available under the Prior 2018 Plan was not sufficient to meet the Company’s anticipated needs with respect to the Company’s equity compensation program in 2024 and beyond.

Modification of Shares Available for Awards. The Amended 2018 Plan modifies how to calculate the number of shares available for future awards after the grant of an award. Under the Prior 2018 Plan, the number of shares of common stock available for future awards is reduced by the full number of shares of common stock subject to any award of options or stock appreciation rights and is reduced by 3.32 shares for every 1 share of common stock subject to an award that may be settled in shares of common stock other than options and stock appreciation rights. Under the Amended 2018 Plan, the number of shares of common stock available for future awards is reduced by the full number of shares of common stock subject to any award of options or stock appreciation rights and is reduced by 1.80 shares for every 1 share of common stock subject to an award that may be settled in shares of common stock other than options and stock appreciation rights. The lower ratio reflects the post-REIT change in the fair value of a GEO stock option relative to a full value share. Since the last plan was approved, GEO’s dividend went from a high distribution under the REIT structure to no dividend under the current structure and the stock market, and GEO specifically, has experienced higher share price volatility. Both of these inputs contribute to a higher stock option fair value.


Item 5.07

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

The GEO 2024 Annual Meeting was held on May 3, 2024. The following matters were voted on at the Annual Meeting: (1) the election of eight directors for a term of one year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, (2) the ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP to serve as GEO’s independent registered public accountants for the 2024 fiscal year, (3) the approval, in a non-binding advisory vote, of the compensation paid to GEO’s named executive officers, as disclosed in GEO’s Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, (4) the proposal to approve the Second Amended and Restated 2018 Stock Incentive Plan, (5) the proposal to approve the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock from 187,500,000 to 225,000,000 shares and (6) a shareholder proposal regarding a third-party racial equity audit and report. The final voting results for each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders at the meeting are set forth below.

 

1.

All of the Board’s director nominees were elected for a term of one year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, by the votes set forth in the table below:

 

     Votes For      Votes
Against
     Abstentions      Broker
Non-Votes
 

Thomas C. Bartzokis

     73,679,078        577,483        216,792        17,488,932  

Jack Brewer

     73,688,838        566,841        217,674        17,488,932  

Scott M. Kernan

     72,925,111        1,328,634        219,608        17,488,932  

Lindsay L. Koren

     72,947,538        1,252,410        273,405        17,488,932  

Terry Mayotte

     68,557,740        5,693,545        222,068        17,488,932  

Andrew N. Shapiro

     72,670,388        1,519,412        283,553        17,488,932  

Julie Myers Wood

     71,346,962        2,911,389        215,002        17,488,932  

George C. Zoley

     73,405,507        929,334        138,512        17,488,932  

 

2.

The appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as GEO’s independent registered public accountants for the 2024 fiscal year was ratified by the shareholders, by the votes set forth in the table below:

 

For:

     90,674,586  

Against:

     1,008,666  

Abstain:

     279,033  

Broker Non-Votes:

     0  

 

3.

The shareholders approved, in a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of GEO’s named executive officers, by the votes set forth in the table below:

 

For:

     63,798,679  

Against:

     3,676,571  

Abstain:

     6,998,103  

Broker Non-Votes:

     17,488,932  


4.

The shareholders approved the Second Amended and Restated 2018 Stock Incentive Plan:

 

For:

     64,070,472  

Against:

     3,380,755  

Abstain:

     7,022,126  

Broker Non-Votes:

     17,488,932  

 

5.

The shareholders approved the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock from 187,500,000 to 225,000,000 shares:

 

For:

     80,507,733  

Against:

     11,211,425  

Abstain:

     243,127  

Broker Non-Votes:

     0  

A copy of the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

6.

The shareholders did not approve the shareholder proposal regarding a third-party racial equity audit and report, by the votes set forth in the table below:

 

For:

     5,084,714  

Against:

     68,831,845  

Abstain:

     556,794  

Broker Non-Votes:

     17,488,932  

Section 9 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

 3.1    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of The GEO Group, Inc.
10.1    The GEO Group, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2018 Stock Incentive Plan.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    THE GEO GROUP, INC.
May 9, 2024     By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Date       Shayn P. March
      Acting Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
      (Principal Financial Officer)
EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

OF

THE GEO GROUP, INC.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 607.1007 of the Florida Business Corporation Act, the undersigned hereby adopts the following Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation:

1. The name of the corporation is THE GEO GROUP, INC. (the “Corporation”).

2. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation were unanimously adopted and approved by the Board of Directors on February 9, 2024 and by the shareholders of the Corporation on May 3, 2024, in accordance with Sections 607.1003, 607.1006, and 607.1007 of the Florida Business Corporation Act.

The Articles of Incorporation are hereby amended and restated in their entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I

The name of this Corporation shall be:

THE GEO GROUP, INC. (the “Corporation”)

ARTICLE II

The principal office and mailing address of the Corporation shall be at 4955 Technology Way, Boca Raton, FL 33431. The Corporation shall, however, have the right and power to transact business and to establish offices and agencies at such other places, both within and without the State of Florida, as its directors may authorize and to so transact business and establish offices and agencies in foreign countries.

ARTICLE III

The Corporation is organized for the transaction of any or all lawful business (including, without limitation or obligation, qualifying for taxation under Sections 856 through 860, or any successor sections, of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor law, as a “real estate investment trust”) for which corporations may be incorporated under the Florida Business Corporation Act.

ARTICLE IV

The total authorized capital stock of this Corporation shall be two hundred and fifty-five million (255,000,000) shares consisting of (i) two hundred and twenty-five million (225,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), and (ii) thirty million (30,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).


The designation and the preferences, limitations and relative rights of the Preferred Stock and the Common Stock are as follows:

A. Provisions Relating to the Preferred Stock.

4.1 General. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more classes or series, the shares of each class or series to have such designations and powers, preferences, and rights, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof as are stated and expressed herein and in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such class or series adopted by the Board of Directors as hereinafter prescribed.

4.2 Preferences. Subject to the rights of the holders of the Corporation’s Common Stock, as set forth in Section B of this Article IV, authority is hereby expressly granted to the Board of Directors to provide for the classification of the shares of Preferred Stock from time to time in one or more classes or series, to determine and take necessary proceedings to fully effect the issuance and redemption of any such Preferred Stock, to fix and state by the resolution or resolutions from time to time adopted providing for the issuance thereof the following:

(a) whether or not the class or series is to have voting rights, full or limited, or is to be without voting rights;

(b) the number of shares to constitute the class or series and the designations thereof;

(c) the preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, with respect to any class or series;

(d) Whether or not the shares of any class or series shall be redeemable and if redeemable the redemption price or prices, and the time or times at which and the terms and conditions upon which such shares shall be redeemable and the manner of redemption;

(e) whether or not the shares of a class or series shall be subject to the operation of retirement or sinking funds to be applied to the purchase or redemption of such shares for retirement, and if such retirement or sinking fund or funds be established, the annual amount thereof and the terms and provisions relative to the operation thereof;

(f) the dividend rate, whether dividends are payable in cash, stock of the Corporation, or other property, the conditions upon which and the times when such dividends are payable, the preference to or the relation to the payment of the dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of stock, whether or not such dividend shall be cumulative or noncumulative, and if cumulative, the date or dates from which such dividends shall accumulate;

(g) the preferences, if any, and the amounts thereof that the holders of any class or series thereof shall be entitled to receive upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Corporation;

(h) whether or not the shares of any class or series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, the shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of the Corporation and the conversion price or prices or ratio or ratios or the rate or rates at which such conversion or exchange may be made, with such adjustments, if any, as shall be stated and expressed or provided for in such resolution or resolutions; and


(i) such other special rights and protective provisions with respect to any class or series as the Board of Directors may deem advisable.

The shares of each class or series of the Preferred Stock may vary from the shares of any other series thereof in any or all of the foregoing respects. The Board of Directors may increase the number of shares of Preferred Stock designated for any existing class or series by a resolution, adding to such class or series authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock not designated for any other class or series. The Board of Directors may decrease the number of shares of the Preferred Stock designated for any existing class or series by a resolution, subtracting from such series unissued shares of the Preferred Stock designated for such class or series, and the shares so subtracted shall become authorized, unissued and undesignated shares of the Preferred Stock.

B. Provisions Relating to the Common Stock

4.3 Voting Rights. Except as otherwise required by law or as may be provided by the resolutions of the Board of Directors authorizing the issuance of any class or series of the Preferred Stock, as hereinabove provided, all rights to vote and all voting power shall be vested exclusively in the holders of the Common Stock.

4.4 Dividends. Subject to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available therefore, dividends payable in cash, stock or otherwise.

4.5 Liquidating Distributions. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, and after the holders of the Preferred Stock shall have been paid in full the amounts to which they shall be entitled (if any) or a sum sufficient for such payment in full shall have been set aside, the remaining net assets of the Corporation shall be distributed pro rata to the holders of the Common Stock in accordance with their respective rights and interests to the exclusion of the holders of the Preferred Stock.

ARTICLE V

5.1 Definitions. For the purpose of this Article V, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Beneficial Ownership. The term “Beneficial Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Sections 856(h)(1)(B) and 856(h)(3) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

Business Day. The term “Business Day” shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Capital Stock. The term “Capital Stock” shall mean all classes or series of stock of the Corporation, including, without limitation, Common Stock and Preferred Stock.

Charitable Beneficiary. The term “Charitable Beneficiary” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Trust as determined pursuant to Section 5.3(f), provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.


Code. The term “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations and rulings promulgated thereunder, all as from time to time in effect, or any successor law, regulations and rulings, and any reference to any statutory, regulatory or ruling provision shall be deemed to be a reference to any successor statutory, regulatory or ruling provision.

Constructive Ownership. The term “Constructive Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned actually or constructively through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Owns” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

Excepted Holder. The term “Excepted Holder” shall mean (i) any Person that holds, as of the Initial Date, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Stock Ownership Limit; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, no individual (within the meaning of Section 542(a)(2) of the Code as modified by Section 856 of the Code) that holds, as of the Initial Date, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Stock Ownership Limit will be an Excepted Holder pursuant to this clause (i), and (ii) any other Person for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 5.2(g).

Excepted Holder Limit. The term “Excepted Holder Limit” shall mean (i) with respect to any Excepted Holder who is an Excepted Holder by virtue of clause (i) of the definition of Excepted Holder above, a percentage equal to the percentage of the outstanding shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned and/or Constructively Owned, as applicable, by such Excepted Holder as of the Initial Date, which percentage will be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 5.2(h), and (ii) with respect to any other Excepted Holder, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 5.2(g), the percentage limit established for such Excepted Holder by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 5.2(g), which percentage will be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 5.2(h).

Exchange Act. The term “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Initial Date. The term “Initial Date” shall mean the effective time of the merger of The GEO Group, Inc. with and into the Corporation pursuant to that Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 21, 2014 by and between The GEO Group, Inc. and the Corporation.

Market Price. The term “Market Price” on any date shall mean, with respect to any class or series of outstanding shares of Capital Stock, the Closing Price for such Capital Stock on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last reported sale price for such Capital Stock, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Capital Stock, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such Capital Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid


and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Capital Stock is not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Capital Stock selected by the Board of Directors or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Capital Stock, the fair market value of the Capital Stock, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

Non-Transfer Event. The term “Non-Transfer Event” shall mean any event or other change in circumstances other than a purported Transfer, including, without limitation, any redemption of any shares of Capital Stock.

NYSE. The term “NYSE” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.

Person. The term “Person” shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other entity and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) or Rule 13d-5(b) of the Exchange Act, and a group to which an Excepted Holder Limit applies.

Prohibited Owner. The term “Prohibited Owner” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer (or Non-Transfer Event), any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 5.2(a), would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in violation of the provisions of 5.2(a)(i) and, if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the shares of Capital Stock that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

REIT. The term “REIT” shall mean a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code.

Restriction Termination Date. The term “Restriction Termination Date” shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Corporation determines pursuant to Section 5.8 that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of shares of Capital Stock set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT.

Stock Ownership Limit. The term “Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean not more than 9.8 percent (i) in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, or (ii) in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding class of any series or class of Capital Stock, excluding any outstanding shares of Capital Stock not treated as outstanding for federal income tax purposes, subject to the Board of Directors’ power under Section 5.2(h) hereof to increase or decrease such percentage.

Transfer. The term “Transfer” shall mean any issuance, sale, distribution, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire or possess beneficial ownership (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code), Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of Capital Stock or the right to vote (other than revocable proxies or consents given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act) or receive dividends on Capital


Stock, including (a) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (b) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock or any interest in Capital Stock or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (c) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in beneficial ownership (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code), Beneficial Ownership, or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, beneficially owned (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code), Constructively Owned or Beneficially Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.

TRS. The term “TRS” means a taxable REIT subsidiary (within the meaning of Section 856(l) of the Code) of the Corporation.

Trust. The term “Trust” shall mean a trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 5.2(a)(ii)(1) and Section 5.3.

Trustee. The term “Trustee” shall mean the Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the Corporation to serve as trustee of the Trust, and any successor trustee.

5.2 Capital Stock.

(a) Ownership Limitations. During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

(i) Basic Restrictions.

(1) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Stock Ownership Limit. No Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.

(2) No Person shall Beneficially Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership of Capital Stock would result in the Corporation being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year).

(3) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership would otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT including, but not limited to, Beneficial or Constructive Ownership to the extent that such Beneficial or Constructive Ownership would result in the Corporation owning (actually or Constructively) an interest in a tenant (other than a TRS) that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code. For this purpose, a tenant from whom the Corporation (or an entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) derives (and is expected to continue to derive) a sufficiently small amount of revenue such that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, rent from such tenant would not adversely affect the Corporation’s ability to qualify as a REIT, shall not be treated as a tenant of the Corporation.


(4) No Person shall Beneficially Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent such Beneficial Ownership of Capital Stock would result in the Corporation failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” within the meaning of Section 897(h) of the Code.

(5) No Person shall Beneficially Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent such Beneficial Ownership of Capital Stock would result in the Corporation being “predominantly held” (within the meaning of Section 856(h)(3)(D) of the Code) by “qualified trusts” (within the meaning of Section 856(h)(3)(E) of the Code).

(6) Notwithstanding any other provisions contained herein, any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system) that, if effective, would result in the Capital Stock being beneficially owned by less than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.

The number and value of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock (or any class or series thereof) held by any Person or individual (within the meaning of Section 542(a)(2) of the Code as modified by Section 856(h) of the Code) shall be determined by the Board of Directors in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof. For purposes of determining the percentage ownership of Capital Stock (or any class of series thereof) by any Person or individual (within the meaning of Section 542(a)(2) of the Code as modified by Section 856(h) of the Code), shares of Capital Stock that may be acquired upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any securities of the Corporation directly or constructively held by such Person or individual, but not Capital Stock issuable with respect to the conversion, exchange or exercise of securities for the Corporation held by other Persons, shall be deemed to be outstanding prior to conversion, exchange or exercise.

(ii) Transfer in Trust. If any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system) or Non-Transfer Event occurs on or after the Initial Date which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning shares of Capital Stock in violation of clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) of Section 5.2(a)(i):

(1) then that number of shares of Capital Stock the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) of Section 5.2(a)(i) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 5.3, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer or Non-Transfer Event (which effective date will in no event be earlier than the Initial Date), and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock; or

(2) if the transfer to the Trust described in clause (1) of Section 5.2(a)(ii) above would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of clauses (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5) of Section 5.2(a)(i), then the Transfer of that number of shares of Capital Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) of Section 5.2(a)(i) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.


(3) In determining which shares of Capital Stock are to be transferred to a Trust in accordance with this Section 5.2(a)(ii) and Section 5.3 hereof, shares shall be so transferred to a Trust in such manner that minimizes the aggregate value of the shares that are transferred to the Trust (except to the extent that the Board of Directors determines that the shares transferred to the Trust shall be those directly or indirectly held or Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned by a Person or Persons that caused or contributed to the application of this Section 5.2(a)(ii)), and to the extent not inconsistent therewith, on a pro rata basis.

(4) To the extent that, upon a transfer of shares of Capital Stock pursuant to this Section 5.2(a)(ii), a violation of Section 5.2(a)(i) would nonetheless be continuing (for example where the ownership of shares of Capital Stock by a single Trust would result in the Capital Stock being beneficially owned (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) by less than 100 persons), the shares of Capital Stock shall be transferred to that number of Trusts, each having a distinct Trustee and a Charitable Beneficiary or Beneficiaries that are distinct from those of each other Trust, such that there is no violation of Section 5.2(a)(i).

(b) Remedies for Breach. If the Board of Directors shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or Non-Transfer Event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 5.2(a)(i) or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 5.2(a)(i) (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Directors shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or Non-Transfer Event, including, without limitation, causing the Corporation to redeem shares of Capital Stock, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or Non-Transfer Event; provided, however, that any Transfer or attempted Transfer in violation of Section 5.2(a)(i) (or Non-Transfer Event that results in a violation of Section 5.2(a)(i)) shall automatically result in the transfer to the Trust described above and, where applicable, such Transfer (or Non-Transfer Event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Directors.

(c) Notice of Restricted Transfer. Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock that will or may violate Section 5.2(a)(i) or any Person who would have owned shares of Capital Stock that resulted in a transfer to the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.2(a)(ii) shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation of such event, or in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT.

(d) Owners Required to Provide Information. From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

(i) every owner of more than five percent (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) in number or value of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Corporation stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of Capital Stock held by such owner and other shares of the Capital Stock Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned by such owner and a description of the manner in which such shares are held. Each such owner shall provide to the Corporation such additional information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership on the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Stock Ownership Limit; and


(ii) each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of Capital Stock and each Person (including the shareholder of record) who is holding Capital Stock for a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner shall provide to the Corporation such information as the Corporation may request, in good faith, in order to determine the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure compliance with the Stock Ownership Limit.

(e) Remedies Not Limited. Subject to Section 5.8, nothing contained in this Section 5.2 shall limit the authority of the Board of Directors to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation and the interests of its shareholders in preserving the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT.

(f) Ambiguity. In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 5.2, Section 5.3 or any definition contained in Section 5.1, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Section 5.2 or Section 5.3 or any such definition with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section 5.2 or Section 5.3 requires an action by the Board of Directors and the Articles of Incorporation fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Sections 5.1, 5.2 or 5.3. Absent a decision to the contrary by the Board of Directors (which the Board of Directors may make in its sole and absolute discretion), if a Person would have (but for the remedies set forth in Section 5.2(a)) acquired Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock in violation of Section 5.2(a), such remedies (as applicable) shall apply first to the shares of Capital Stock that, but for such remedies, would have been actually owned by such Person, and second to shares of Capital Stock which, but for such remedies, would have been Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned (but not actually owned) by such Person, pro rata among the Persons who actually own such shares of Capital Stock based upon the relative number of the shares of Capital Stock held by each such Person. In addition, any approvals, determinations or other actions which may be taken by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 5.1, 5.2 or 5.3, may, to the extent permissible under the Florida Business Corporation Act and applicable law, be delegated by the Board of Directors to any duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors or other designee of the Board of Directors.

(g) Exceptions.

(i) Subject to Section 5.2(a), the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the Stock Ownership Limit, and may establish or increase (prospectively or retroactively) an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if the Board of Directors obtains such representations, warranties and undertakings as the Board of Directors may deem appropriate in order to conclude that granting the exemption and/or establishing or increasing the Excepted Holder Limit will not cause the Corporation to lose its status as a REIT.

(ii) Prior to granting any exception and/or establishing or increasing the Excepted Holder Limit pursuant to Section 5.2(g)(i), the Board of Directors may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems necessary or advisable in connection with granting such exception.


(iii) Subject to Section 5.2(a)(i)(3), an underwriter or placement agent that participates in a public offering or a private placement of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) in excess of the Stock Ownership Limit, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering or private placement.

(h) Change in Stock Ownership Limit and Excepted Holder Limit.

(i) The Board of Directors may from time to time, in its sole discretion, increase or decrease the Stock Ownership Limit; provided, however, that a decreased Stock Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person whose percentage ownership of Capital Stock is in excess of such decreased Stock Ownership Limit, until such time as such Person’s percentage of Capital Stock (or any class or series thereof, as applicable) equals or falls below the Stock Ownership Limit, but until such time as such Person’s percentage of Capital Stock (or any class or series thereof, as applicable) falls below such decreased Stock Ownership Limit, any further acquisition of Capital Stock (or any class or series thereof, as applicable) by such Person will be in violation of the Stock Ownership Limit, and, provided further, that the new Stock Ownership Limit would not allow five or fewer individuals (as defined in Section 542(a)(2) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h) of the Code and taking into account all Excepted Holders) to Beneficially Own more than 49.9% in value of the outstanding Capital Stock.

(ii) The Board of Directors may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder (a) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time, or (b) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything contained herein to the contrary, the Board of Directors also may reduce the Excepted Holder Limit then applicable to one or more particular Excepted Holders if such reduction is, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, necessary or advisable in enabling the Corporation to maintain its qualification as a REIT or is otherwise in the best interest of the Corporation; provided, however, that any such decreased Excepted Holder Limit will not be effective for any Person whose percentage ownership of Capital Stock (or any class or series thereof, as applicable) is in excess of such decreased Excepted Holder Limit until such time as such Person’s percentage of Capital Stock (or any class or series thereof, as applicable) equals or falls below such decreased Except Holder Limit, but until such time as such Person’s percentage of Capital Stock (or any class or series thereof, as applicable) falls below such decreased Excepted Holder Limit, any further acquisition of Capital Stock (or any class or series thereof, as applicable) by such Person will be in violation of such decreased Excepted Holder Limit. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Stock Ownership Limit.

(i) Legend. Each certificate for shares of Capital Stock, if certificated, shall bear a legend that substantially describes the restrictions on transfer and ownership set forth in this Article V, or instead of such legend, the certificate may reference such restrictions and state that the Corporation will furnish a statement about restrictions on transferability and ownership to any shareholder on request and without charge. In the case of any shares of Capital Stock that are uncertificated, such restrictions, or a reference to such restrictions and a statement that the Corporation will furnish a statement about restrictions on transferability and ownership set forth in this Article V to any shareholder on request and without charge, will be contained in the notice or notices sent as required by applicable law.


5.3 Transfer of Capital Stock in Trust.

(a) Ownership in Trust. Upon any purported Transfer or Non-Transfer Event described in Section 5.2(a)(i) that would result in a transfer of shares of Capital Stock to a Trust, such shares of Capital Stock shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Trustee as trustee of a Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or Non-Transfer Event that results in the transfer to the Trust pursuant to Section 5.2(a)(ii) (which effective date will in no event be earlier than the Initial Date). The Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 5.3(f).

(b) Status of Shares Held by the Trustee. Shares of Capital Stock held by the Trustee shall continue to be issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the shares of Capital Stock held by the Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in trust by the Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the Trust.

(c) Dividend and Voting Rights. The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid to a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee shall be paid with respect to such shares of Capital Stock by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividend or distribution so paid to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares held in the Trust and, subject to the Florida Business Corporation Act, effective as of the date that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have the authority (at the Trustee’s sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article V, until the Corporation has received notification that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred into a Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other shareholder records for purposes of preparing lists of shareholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of shareholders.

(d) Sale of Shares by Trustee. Within 20 days after receiving notice from the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee of the Trust shall sell the shares held in the Trust to a person, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 5.2(a)(i). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 5.3(d). The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (i) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to


be held in the Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction or a Non-Transfer Event), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust and (ii) the price per share received by the Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Trust. The Trustee may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and distributions paid to the Prohibited Owner and owned by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.3(c). Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (a) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Trust and (b) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 5.3(d), such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.

(e) Purchase Right in Stock Transferred to the Trustee. Shares of Capital Stock transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Corporation, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift or other such transaction or Non-Transfer Event, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift or Non-Transfer Event) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and distributions paid to the Prohibited Owner and owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.3(c). The Corporation may pay the amount of such reduction to the Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares held in the Trust pursuant to Section 5.3(d). Upon such a sale to the Corporation or its designee, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and any dividends or other distributions held by the Trustee shall be paid to the Charitable Beneficiary.

(f) Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries. By written notice to the Trustee, the Corporation shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Trust such that (i) the shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 5.2(a)(i) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary and (ii) each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

5.4 Transactions. Nothing in this Article V shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article V and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article V.

5.5 Enforcement. The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Article V.

5.6 Non-Waiver. No delay or failure on the part of the Corporation or the Board of Directors in exercising any right under this Article V shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Corporation or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

5.7 Severability. If any provision of this Article V or any application of any such provision is determined to be invalid by any federal or state court having jurisdiction over the issues, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected and other applications of such provisions shall be affected only to the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court.


5.8 REIT Qualification. If the Corporation elects to qualify for federal income tax treatment as a REIT, the Board of Directors shall use its reasonable best efforts to take such actions as are necessary or appropriate to preserve the qualification of the Corporation as a REIT; however, if the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to continue to be qualified as a REIT, the Board of Directors may revoke or otherwise terminate the Corporation’s REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code. The Board of Directors also may determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on stock ownership and transfers set forth in this Article V hereof is no longer required for REIT qualification.

ARTICLE VI

This Corporation shall have perpetual existence.

ARTICLE VII

These Articles of Incorporation may be amended in the manner provided by law. Every amendment shall be approved by the Board of Directors, proposed by them to the Shareholders, and approved at a Shareholders’ Meeting by a majority of the stock entitled to vote thereon, unless all the directors and all the shareholders sign a written statement manifesting their intention that a certain amendment of these Articles of Incorporation be made.

ARTICLE VIII

The street address of its registered office and the name of its registered agent at such address is as follows:

 

Name of Registered Agent    Address of Registered Agent
Corporate Creations Network Inc.   

801 US Highway 1

North Palm Beach, FL 33408

ARTICLE IX

This Corporation shall have six (6) directors. The number of directors may be increased or diminished from time to time by Bylaws adopted by the Board of Directors, but shall never be less than one (1) director.

ARTICLE X

Indemnification. This Corporation shall indemnify and shall advance expenses on behalf of its officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law in existence either now or hereafter.

3. These Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation shall become effective at 4:05 p.m. Eastern Time on May 3, 2024.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, for the purpose of amending and restating the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation pursuant to the laws of the State of Florida, has executed these Articles of Incorporation as of May 3, 2024.

 

THE GEO GROUP, INC.

/s/ Joe Negron

Joe Negron

Senior Vice President,

General Counsel and

Corporate Secretary

EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

THE GEO GROUP, INC.

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

2018 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

1. ESTABLISHMENT, EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM

The GEO Group, Inc., a Florida corporation (“GEO”) has previously established The GEO Group, Inc. 2018 Stock Incentive Plan, effective March 9, 2018, which was subsequently amended and restated and approved by the Company’s shareholders on April 28, 2021. GEO hereby amends and restates The GEO Group, Inc. 2018 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan as The GEO Group, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The effective date of this amendment (the “Amendment Effective Date”) shall be the date that this amendment and restatement is approved by the shareholders of the Company. Unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 16(l) hereof, the Plan shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of the Amendment Effective Date. Capitalized terms used herein are defined in Annex A attached hereto.

2. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Plan is to enable GEO to attract, retain, reward and motivate Eligible Individuals by providing them with an opportunity to acquire or increase a proprietary interest in GEO and to incentivize them to expend maximum effort for the growth and success of the Company, so as to strengthen the mutuality of the interests between the Eligible Individuals and the shareholders of GEO.

3. ELIGIBILITY

Awards may be granted under the Plan to any Eligible Individual, as determined by the Committee from time to time, on the basis of their importance to the business of the Company pursuant to the terms of the Plan.

4. ADMINISTRATION

(a) Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board. The Board (or those members of the Board who are “Independent directors” under the corporate governance requirements of the Listing Market) may, in its discretion, take any action and exercise any power, privilege or discretion conferred on the Committee under the Plan with the same force and effect under the Plan as if done or exercised by the Committee. The Committee shall have full and final authority, subject to and consistent with the provisions of the Plan, to select Eligible Individuals to become Participants, grant Awards, determine the type, number and other terms and conditions of, and all other matters relating to, Awards, prescribe Award Agreements (which need not be identical for each Participant) and rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, construe and interpret the Plan and Award Agreements and correct defects, supply omissions or reconcile inconsistencies therein, and to make all other decisions and determinations as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. In exercising any discretion granted to the Committee under the Plan or pursuant to any Award, the Committee shall not be required to follow past practices, act in a manner consistent with past practices, or treat any Eligible Individual or Participant in a manner consistent with the treatment of any other Eligible Individual. The Committee cannot grant reload or other automatic Awards made upon exercise of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan.

(b) Delegation to Officers or Employees. The Committee may designate officers or employees of the Company to assist the Committee in the administration of the Plan. The Committee may delegate authority to officers or employees of the Company to grant Awards and execute Award Agreements or other documents on behalf of the Committee in connection with the administration of the Plan, subject to whatever limitations or restrictions the Committee may impose in accordance with applicable law and to the extent that such delegation will not result in

 

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the loss of an exemption under Rule 16b-3(d)(1) for Awards granted to Participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company and will not result in a related-person transaction with an executive officer required to be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K (in accordance with Instruction 5.a.ii thereunder) under the Exchange Act.

(c) Designation of Advisors. The Committee may designate professional advisors to assist the Committee in the administration of the Plan. The Committee may employ such legal counsel, consultants, and agents as it may deem desirable for the administration of the Plan and may rely upon any advice and any computation received from any such counsel, consultant, or agent. The Company shall pay all expenses and costs incurred by the Committee for the engagement of any such counsel, consultant, or agent.

(d) Participants Outside the U.S. In order to conform with the provisions of local laws and regulations in foreign countries in which the Company operates, the Committee shall have the sole discretion to (i) modify the terms and conditions of the Awards granted under the Plan to Eligible Individuals located outside the United States; (ii) establish subplans with such modifications as may be necessary or advisable under the circumstances present by local laws and regulations; and (iii) take any action which it deems advisable to comply with or otherwise reflect any necessary governmental regulatory procedures, or to obtain any exemptions or approvals necessary with respect to the Plan or any subplan established hereunder.

(e) Liability and Indemnification. No Covered Individual shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan, any Award granted hereunder or any Award Agreement entered into hereunder. The Company shall, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of GEO, indemnify and hold harmless each Covered Individual against any cost or expense (including reasonable attorney fees reasonably acceptable to the Company) or liability (including any amount paid in settlement of a claim with the approval of the Company), and amounts advanced to such Covered Individual necessary to pay the foregoing at the earliest time and to the fullest extent permitted, arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the Plan, any Award granted hereunder or any Award Agreement entered into hereunder. Such indemnification shall be in addition to any rights of indemnification such individuals may have under applicable law or under the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of GEO. Notwithstanding anything else herein, this indemnification will not apply to the actions or determinations made by a Covered Individual with regard to Awards granted to such Covered Individual under the Plan or arising out of such Covered Individual’s own fraud or bad faith.

5. SHARES OF COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN

(a) Shares Available for Awards. The Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall be treasury shares or authorized but unissued shares of the Common Stock. The total number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall be Twenty-Nine Million Three Hundred Twenty-Seven Thousand One Hundred Ninety-Four (29,327,194) Shares, including Seven Hundred Thirty-Six Thousand One Hundred Seventy-One (736,171) shares that were available for issuance prior to the Amendment Effective Date.

(b) Certain Limitations on Specific Types of Awards. The granting of Awards under this Plan shall be subject to the following limitations:

(i) With respect to the shares of Common Stock reserved pursuant to this Section, a maximum of Twenty-Nine Million Three Hundred Twenty-Seven Thousand One Hundred Ninety-Four (29,327,194) Shares of such shares may be subject to grants of Incentive Stock Options;

(ii) With respect to the shares of Common Stock reserved pursuant to this Section, a maximum of six hundred thousand (600,000) of such shares may be issued in connection with Awards that are settled in Common Stock to any one Eligible Individual during any one fiscal year; and

(iii) The maximum value at Grant Date of Awards that may be granted to any Non-Employee Director during any one fiscal year shall be $500,000.

 

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(c) Reduction of Shares Available for Awards. Upon the granting of an Award, the number of shares of Common Stock available under this Section hereof for the granting of further Awards shall be reduced as follows:

(i) In connection with the granting of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the number of shares of Common Stock shall be reduced by the full number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Option or Stock Appreciation Right; and

(ii) In connection with the granting of an Award that may be settled in Common Stock, other than the granting of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the number of shares of Common Stock shall be reduced by 1.80 shares of Common Stock subject to the Award.

(d) Cancelled, Forfeited, or Surrendered Awards. If any Award that may be settled in Common Stock is cancelled, forfeited, terminated or settled in cash for any reason, the shares of Common Stock that were subject to such Award shall, to the extent cancelled, forfeited, terminated or settled in cash, immediately become available for future Awards granted under the Plan as if said Award had never been granted; provided, however, that any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award which are tendered, cancelled, forfeited, withheld or terminated in order to pay the Exercise Price, purchase price or any taxes or tax withholdings on an Award shall not be available for future Awards granted under the Plan. Shares of Common Stock that have been repurchased by the Company using the proceeds from Stock Option exercise shall not be available for future Awards granted under the Plan.

(e) Recapitalization. If the outstanding shares of Common Stock are increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of GEO by reason of any recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization, stock split, reverse split, combination of shares, exchange of shares, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock of GEO or other increase or decrease in such shares effected without receipt of consideration by GEO occurring after the Effective Date, an appropriate and proportionate adjustment shall be made by the Committee to (i) the aggregate number and kind of shares of Common Stock available under the Plan (including, but not limited to, the aggregate limits of the number of shares of Common Stock described in Sections 5(c)(i) and (ii), (ii) the limits on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be granted to an Eligible Employee in any one fiscal year, (iii) the calculation of the reduction of shares of Common Stock available under the Plan, (iv) the number and kind of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise (or vesting) of outstanding Awards granted under the Plan; (v) the Exercise Price of outstanding Options granted under the Plan, and/or (vi) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors under Section 10. No fractional shares of Common Stock or units of other securities shall be issued pursuant to any such adjustment under this Section 5(f), and any fractions resulting from any such adjustment shall be eliminated in each case by rounding downward to the nearest whole share or unit. In furtherance of the foregoing, a Participant shall have a legal right to an adjustment to an outstanding Award that constitutes a “share-based payment arrangement” in the event of an “equity restructuring,” as such terms are defined under FASB ASC Topic 718, which adjustment shall preserve without enlarging the value of the Award to the Participant. Any adjustments made under this Section 5(f) with respect to any Incentive Stock Options must be made in accordance with Code Section 424.

6. OPTIONS

(a) Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee may grant to such Eligible Individuals as the Committee may determine, Options to purchase such number of shares of Common Stock and on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion. Each grant of an Option shall satisfy the requirements set forth in this Section.

(b) Type of Options. Each Option granted under the Plan may be designated by the Committee, in its sole discretion, as either (i) an Incentive Stock Option, or (ii) a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Options designated as Incentive Stock Options that fail to continue to meet the requirements of Code Section 422 shall be re-designated

 

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as Non-Qualified Stock Options automatically on the date of such failure to continue to meet such requirements without further action by the Committee. In the absence of any designation, Options granted under the Plan will be deemed to be Non-Qualified Stock Options.

(c) Exercise Price. Subject to the limitations set forth in the Plan relating to Incentive Stock Options, the Exercise Price of an Option shall be fixed by the Committee and stated in the respective Award Agreement, provided that the Exercise Price of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Option may not be less than Fair Market Value of such Common Stock on the Grant Date, or if greater, the par value of the Common Stock.

(d) Limitation on Option Period. Subject to the limitations set forth in the Plan relating to Incentive Stock Options, Options granted under the Plan and all rights to purchase Common Stock thereunder shall terminate no later than the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date of such Options, or on such earlier date as may be stated in the Award Agreement relating to such Option. In the case of Options expiring prior to the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date, the Committee may in its discretion, at any time prior to the expiration or termination of said Options, extend the term of any such Options for such additional period as it may determine, but in no event beyond the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date thereof.

(e) Limitations on Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, the following provisions shall apply with respect to Incentive Stock Options granted pursuant to the Plan.

(i) Limitation on Grants. Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to Section 424 Employees. The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time such Incentive Stock Option is granted) of the shares of Common Stock for which any individual may have Incentive Stock Options which first become vested and exercisable in any calendar year (under all incentive stock option plans of the Company) shall not exceed $100,000. Options granted to such individual in excess of the $100,000 limitation, and any Options issued subsequently which first become vested and exercisable in the same calendar year, shall automatically be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options.

(ii) Minimum Exercise Price. In no event may the Exercise Price of a share of Common Stock subject to an Incentive Stock Option be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share of Common Stock on the Grant Date.

(iii) Ten Percent Shareholder. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the case of Incentive Stock Options granted to a Section 424 Employee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns (after application of the rules set forth in Code Section 424(d)) stock possessing more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of GEO, such Incentive Stock Options (i) must have an Exercise Price per share of Common Stock that is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value as of the Grant Date of a share of Common Stock, and (ii) must not be exercisable after the fifth anniversary of the Grant Date.

(f) Vesting Schedule and Conditions. Subject to Section 10 of the Plan, no Options may be exercised prior to the satisfaction of the conditions and vesting schedule provided for in the Award Agreement relating thereto.

(g) Exercise. When the conditions to the exercise of an Option have been satisfied, the Participant may exercise the Option only in accordance with the following provisions. The Participant shall deliver to GEO a written notice stating that the Participant is exercising the Option and specifying the number of shares of Common Stock which are to be purchased pursuant to the Option, and such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the Exercise Price of the shares for which the Option is being exercised, by one or more of the methods provided for in the Plan. An attempt to exercise any Option granted hereunder other than as set forth in the Plan shall be invalid and of no force and effect.

(h) Payment. Payment of the Exercise Price for the shares of Common Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option shall be made by one of the following methods:

(i) by cash, certified or cashier’s check, bank draft or money order;

 

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(ii) through the delivery to GEO of shares of Common Stock which have been previously owned by the Participant for the requisite period necessary to avoid a charge to GEO’s earnings for financial reporting purposes; such shares shall be valued, for purposes of determining the extent to which the Exercise Price has been paid thereby, at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise; without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may require the Participant to furnish an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Committee to the effect that such delivery would not result in GEO incurring any liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act; or

(iii) by any other method which the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion and to the extent permitted by applicable law, may permit, including, but not limited to, any of the following: (A) through a “cashless exercise sale and remittance procedure” pursuant to which the Participant shall concurrently provide irrevocable instructions (1) to a brokerage firm approved by the Committee to effect the immediate sale of the purchased shares and remit to GEO, out of the sale proceeds available on the settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate Exercise Price payable for the purchased shares plus all applicable federal, state and local income, employment, excise, foreign and other taxes required to be withheld by the Company by reason of such exercise and (2) to GEO to deliver the certificates for the purchased shares directly to such brokerage firm in order to complete the sale; or (B) by any other method as may be permitted by the Committee.

(i) Termination of Employment, Disability or Death. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, upon the termination of the employment or other service of a Participant with Company for any reason, all of the Participant’s outstanding Options (whether vested or unvested) shall be subject to the rules of this paragraph. Upon such termination, the Participant’s unvested Options shall expire. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, the Committee may provide, in its sole and absolute discretion, that following the termination of employment or other service of a Participant with the Company for any reason (i) any unvested Options held by the Participant that vest solely upon a future service requirement shall vest in whole or in part, at any time subsequent to such termination of employment or other service, and/or (ii) a Participant or the Participant’s estate, devisee or heir at law (whichever is applicable), may exercise an Option, in whole or in part, at any time subsequent to such termination of employment or other service and prior to the termination of the Option pursuant to its terms. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, temporary absence from employment because of illness, vacation, approved leaves of absence or military service shall not constitute a termination of employment or other service.

(i) Termination for Reason Other Than Cause, Disability or Death. If a Participant’s termination of employment or other service is for any reason other than death, Disability, Cause or a voluntary termination within ninety (90) days after occurrence of an event which would be grounds for termination of employment or other service by the Company for Cause, any Option held by such Participant, may be exercised, to the extent exercisable at termination, by the Participant at any time within a period not to exceed ninety (90) days from the date of such termination, but in no event after the termination of the Option pursuant to its terms.

(ii) Disability. If a Participant’s termination of employment or other service with the Company is by reason of a Disability of such Participant, the Participant shall have the right at any time within a period not to exceed one (1) year after such termination, but in no event after the termination of the Option pursuant to its terms, to exercise, in whole or in part, any vested portion of the Option held by such Participant at the date of such termination; provided, however, that if the Participant dies within such period, any vested Option held by such Participant upon death shall be exercisable by the Participant’s estate, devisee or heir at law (whichever is applicable) for a period not to exceed one (1) year after the Participant’s death, but in no event after the termination of the Option pursuant to its terms.

(iii) Death. If a Participant dies while in the employment or other service of the Company, the Participant’s estate or the devisee named in the Participant’s valid last will and testament or the Participant’s heir at law who inherits the Option has the right, at any time within a period not to exceed one (1) year after the date of such Participant’s death, but in no event after the termination of the Option pursuant to its terms, to exercise, in whole or in part, any portion of the vested Option held by such Participant at the date of such Participant’s death.

 

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(iv) Termination for Cause. In the event the termination is for Cause or is a voluntary termination within ninety (90) days after occurrence of an event which would be grounds for termination of employment or other service by the Company for Cause (without regard to any notice or cure period requirement), any Option held by the Participant at the time of such termination shall be deemed to have terminated and expired upon the date of such termination.

7. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

(a) Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee may grant to such Eligible Individuals as the Committee may determine, Stock Appreciation Rights, in such amounts and on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion. Each grant of a Stock Appreciation Right shall satisfy the requirements as set forth in this Section.

(b) Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights. The terms and conditions (including, without limitation, the limitations on the Exercise Price, exercise period, repricing and termination) of the Stock Appreciation Right shall be substantially identical (to the extent possible taking into account the differences related to the character of the Stock Appreciation Right) to the terms and conditions that would have been applicable under Section 6 above were the grant of the Stock Appreciation Rights a grant of an Option.

(c) Exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercised by a Participant only by written notice delivered to the General Counsel of GEO, specifying the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is being exercised.

(d) Payment of Stock Appreciation Right. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Participant or Participant’s estate, devisee or heir at law (whichever is applicable) shall be entitled to receive payment, in cash, in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion. The amount of such payment shall be determined by multiplying the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Grant Date, by the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Rights are then being exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may limit in any manner the amount payable with respect to a Stock Appreciation Right by including such limitation in the Award Agreement.

8. RESTRICTED STOCK

(a) Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee may grant to such Eligible Individuals as the Committee may determine, Restricted Stock, in such amounts and on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion. Each grant of Restricted Stock shall satisfy the requirements as set forth in this Section.

(b) Restrictions. The Committee shall impose such restrictions on any Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan as it may deem advisable.

(c) Certificates and Certificate Legend. With respect to a grant of Restricted Stock, the Company may issue a certificate evidencing such Restricted Stock to the Participant or issue and hold such shares of Restricted Stock for the benefit of the Participant until the applicable restrictions expire. The Company may legend the certificate representing Restricted Stock to give appropriate notice of such restrictions. In addition to any such legends, each certificate representing shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan shall bear the following legend:

“The sale or other transfer of the shares of stock represented by this certificate, whether voluntary, involuntary, or by operation of law, are subject to certain terms, conditions, and restrictions on transfer as set forth in The GEO Group, Inc. 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), and in an Agreement entered into by and between the registered owner of such shares and The GEO Group, Inc. (the “Company”), dated     , 20   (the “Award Agreement”). A copy of the Plan and the Award Agreement may be obtained from the Secretary of the Company.”

 

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(d) Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, shares of Restricted Stock shall become freely transferable by the Participant upon the lapse of the applicable restrictions. Once the shares of Restricted Stock are released from the restrictions, the Participant shall be entitled to have the legend required by paragraph (c) above removed from the share certificate evidencing such Restricted Stock and the Company shall pay or distribute to the Participant all dividends and distributions held in escrow by the Company with respect to such Restricted Stock.

(e) Shareholder Rights. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, until the expiration of all applicable restrictions, (i) the Restricted Stock shall be treated as outstanding, and (ii) the Participant holding shares of Restricted Stock may exercise full voting rights with respect to such shares.

(f) Termination of Service. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, if a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company terminates for any reason, all unvested shares of Restricted Stock held by the Participant and any dividends or distributions held in escrow by GEO with respect to such Restricted Stock shall be forfeited immediately and returned to the Company. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, the Committee may provide, in its sole and absolute discretion, that following the termination of employment or other service of a Participant with the Company for any reason, any unvested shares of Restricted Stock held by the Participant that vest solely upon a future service requirement shall vest in whole or in part, at any time subsequent to such termination of employment or other service.

9. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

(a) Grant of Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee may grant to such Eligible Individuals as the Committee may determine. a right to receive Common Stock upon vesting or at the end of a specified deferral period, with any risks of forfeiture or other restrictions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose.

(b) Shareholder Rights. Except as otherwise provided in Section 16(d) of the Plan, a Restricted Stock Unit carries no voting or dividend or other rights associated with respect to such underlying Commons Stock prior to the issuance of such shares.

(c) Termination of Service. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, if a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company terminates for any reason prior vesting, all unvested Restricted Stock Units held by the Participant shall be forfeited. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, the Committee may provide, in its sole and absolute discretion, that following the termination of employment or other service of a Participant with the Company for any reason, any unvested Restricted Stock Units held by the Participant that vest solely upon a future service requirement shall vest in whole or in part, at any time subsequent to such termination of employment or other service.

10. PERFORMANCE AWARDS

(i) Grant of Performance Awards. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee may grant to such Eligible Individuals as the Committee may determine, Performance Shares, Performance Share Units and Performance Units, in such amounts and on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion. Each grant of a Performance Award shall satisfy the requirements as set forth in this Section. Performance Shares shall be subject to the provisions set forth in Section 8 of the Plan and Performance Share Units and Performance Units shall be subject to the provisions set forth in Section 9 of the Plan.

(ii) Performance Goals. Performance Goals will be based on one or more of the following criteria, as determined by the Committee in its absolute and sole discretion: (i) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase in, GEO’s enterprise value or value creation targets; (ii) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a percentage increase in, GEO’s after-tax or pre-tax profits including, without limitation, that attributable to

 

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GEO’s continuing and/or other operations; (iii) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase relating to, GEO’s operational cash flow or working capital, or a component thereof; (iv) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified decrease relating to, GEO’s operational costs, or a component thereof (v) the attainment of a certain level of reduction of, or other specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of increase in all or a portion of bank debt or other of GEO’s long-term or short-term public or private debt or other similar financial obligations of GEO, which may be calculated net of cash balances and/or other offsets and adjustments as may be established by the Committee; (vi) the attainment of a specified percentage increase in earnings per share or earnings per share from GEO’s continuing operations; (vii) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified percentage increase in, GEO’s net sales, revenues, net income or earnings before income tax or other exclusions; (viii) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase in, GEO’s return on capital employed or return on invested capital; (ix) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a percentage increase in, GEO’s after-tax or pre-tax return on shareholder equity; (x) the attainment of certain target levels in the fair market value of GEO’s Common Stock; (xi) the growth in the value of an investment in the Common Stock assuming the reinvestment of dividends; and/or (xii) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase in, EBITDA (earnings before income tax, depreciation and amortization). In addition, Performance Goals may be based upon the attainment by a subsidiary, division or other operational unit of GEO of specified levels of performance under one or more of the measures described above. Further, the Performance Goals may be based upon the attainment by GEO (or a subsidiary, division, facility or other operational unit of GEO) of specified levels of performance under one or more of the foregoing measures relative to the performance of other corporations. The Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion: (i) designate additional business criteria upon which the Performance Goals may be based; (ii) modify, amend or adjust the business criteria described herein; or (iii) incorporate in the Performance Goals provisions regarding changes in accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions or acquisitions) and similar events or circumstances. Performance Goals may include a threshold level of performance below which no Performance Award will be earned, levels of performance at which a Performance Award will become partially earned and a level at which a Performance Award will be fully earned.

(iii) Terms and Conditions of Performance Awards. The applicable Award Agreement shall set forth the number and type of Performance Awards; (ii) the Performance Period; and the Performance Goals with respect to each such Performance Award; (iii) the maximum shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to a Performance Award and (iv) any other terms and conditions as the Committee determines in its sole and absolute discretion. The Committee shall establish, in its sole and absolute discretion, the Performance Goals for the applicable Performance Period for each Performance Award granted hereunder. Performance Goals for different Participants and for different grants of Performance Awards need not be identical. The Committee may, in its discretion, reduce the amount of a settlement otherwise to be made in connection with Performance Awards, but may not exercise discretion to increase any amount payable in respect of a Performance Award. A holder of a Performance Award is not entitled to the rights of a holder of Common Stock.

(iv) Determination and Payment of Performance Awards. As soon as practicable after the end of a Performance Period, the Committee shall determine the extent to which Performance Awards have been earned on the basis of the Company’s actual performance in relation to the established Performance Goals as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement and shall certify these results in writing. As soon as practicable after the Committee has determined that an amount is payable or should be distributed with respect to a Performance Share Unit or Performance Unit, but in any event no later than 70 days following the end of the applicable Performance Period, the Committee shall cause the amount of such Performance Share Unit or Performance Unit to be paid or distributed to the Participant or the Participant’s estate, devisee or heir at law (whichever is applicable). For purposes of making payment or a distribution with respect to a Performance Cash Unit, the value of a share of Common Stock shall be determined by the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the day the Committee designates the Performance Cash Units to be payable.

(v) Termination of Employment. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, if a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company terminates for any reason, all of the Participant’s outstanding Performance Awards shall be subject to the rules of this Section 10.

 

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(vi) Termination for Reason Other Than Death or Disability. If a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company terminates prior to the expiration of a Performance Period with respect to any Performance Awards held by such Participant for any reason other than death or Disability, the outstanding Performance Awards held by such Participant for which the Performance Period has not yet expired shall terminate upon such termination and the Participant shall have no further rights pursuant to such Performance Awards.

(vii) Termination of Employment for Death or Disability. If a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company terminates by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability prior to the end of a Performance Period, the Participant, or the Participant’s estate, devisee or heir at law (whichever is applicable) shall be entitled to a payment or vesting, as the case may be, of the Participant’s outstanding Performance Awards at the end of the applicable Performance Period, pursuant to the terms of the Plan and the Participant’s Award Agreement; provided, however, that the Participant shall be deemed to have earned only that proportion (to the nearest whole unit or share) of the Performance Awards granted to the Participant under such Performance Award as the number of full months of the Performance Period which have elapsed since the first day of the Performance Period for which the Performance Award was granted to the end of the month in which the Participant’s termination of employment or other service, bears to the total number of months in the Performance Period, subject to the attainment of the Performance Goals associated with the Award as certified by the Committee. The right to any remaining Performance Awards shall be canceled and forfeited.

11. VESTING OF AWARDS

Subject to Sections 13 and 14 of the Plan, all Awards under this Plan shall have a minimum vesting schedule of at least one year following the Grant Date. Notwithstanding this minimum vesting requirement, the Committee may impose a vesting schedule of less than one year from the Grant Date on Awards; provided, however, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under this Plan with respect to Awards having a vesting schedule of less than one year shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under this Plan. Awards granted to a Non-Employee Director in lieu of cash compensation shall not be subject to any minimum vesting requirements.

12. OTHER AWARDS

Awards of shares of Common Stock, phantom stock, and other awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, may also be made, from time to time, to Eligible Individuals as may be selected by the Committee. Such Common Stock may be issued in satisfaction of awards granted under any other plan sponsored by the Company or compensation payable to an Eligible Individual. In addition, such awards may be made alone or in addition to or in connection with any other Award granted hereunder. The Committee may determine the terms and conditions of any such award. Each such award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement between the Eligible Individual and the Company which shall specify the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the award, any consideration therefore, any vesting or performance requirements and such other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion. With respect to the Awards that may be issued solely pursuant to this Section 12 and not pursuant to any other provision of the Plan, a maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which such Awards may be issued, shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan, as described in Section 5(a) of the Plan.

13. CHANGE IN CONTROL

Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of GEO, the Committee may in its sole and absolute discretion, provide on a case by case basis that (i) some or all outstanding Awards may become immediately exercisable or vested, without regard to any limitation imposed pursuant to this Plan, (ii) that all Awards shall terminate, provided that Participants shall have the right, immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control and during such reasonable period as the Committee in its sole

 

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discretion shall determine and designate, to exercise any vested Award in whole or in part, (iii) that all Awards shall terminate, provided that Participants shall be entitled to a cash payment equal to the Change in Control Price with respect to shares subject to the vested portion of the Award net of the Exercise Price thereof (if applicable), (iv) provide that, in connection with a liquidation or dissolution of GEO, Awards shall convert into the right to receive liquidation proceeds net of the Exercise Price (if applicable) and (v) any combination of the foregoing. In the event that the Committee does not terminate or convert an Award upon a Change in Control of GEO, then the Award shall be assumed, or substantially equivalent Awards shall be substituted, by the acquiring, or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof).

14. CHANGE IN STATUS OF PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY

Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event that an entity or business unit which was previously a part of the Company is no longer a part of the Company, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion: (i) provide on a case by case basis that some or all outstanding Awards held by a Participant employed by or performing service for such entity or business unit may become immediately exercisable or vested, without regard to any limitation imposed pursuant to this Plan; (ii) provide on a case by case basis that some or all outstanding Awards held by a Participant employed by or performing service for such entity or business unit may remain outstanding, may continue to vest, and/or may remain exercisable for a period not exceeding one (1) year, subject to the terms of the Award Agreement and this Plan; and/or (ii) treat the employment or other services of a Participant employed by such entity or business unit as terminated if such Participant is not employed by GEO or any entity that is a part of the Company immediately after such event.

15. REQUIREMENTS OF LAW

(a) Violations of Law. The Company shall not be required to sell or issue any shares of Common Stock under any Award if the sale or issuance of such shares would constitute a violation by the individual exercising the Award, the Participant or the Company of any provisions of any law or regulation of any governmental authority, including without limitation any provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and any other federal or state securities laws or regulations. Any determination in this connection by the Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive. The Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause the exercise of an Award, the issuance of shares pursuant thereto or the grant of an Award to comply with any law or regulation of any governmental authority.

(b) Registration. At the time of any exercise or receipt of any Award, the Company may, if it shall determine it necessary or desirable for any reason, require the Participant (or Participant’s heirs, legatees or legal representative, as the case may be), as a condition to the exercise or grant thereof, to deliver to the Company a written representation of present intention to hold the shares for their own account as an investment and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution of such shares, except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws with respect thereto. In the event such representation is required to be delivered, an appropriate legend may be placed upon each certificate delivered to the Participant (or Participant’s heirs, legatees or legal representative, as the case may be) upon the Participant’s exercise of part or all of the Award or receipt of an Award and a stop transfer order may be placed with the transfer agent. Each Award shall also be subject to the requirement that, if at any time the Company determines, in its discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification of the shares subject to the Award upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a condition of or in connection with, the issuance or purchase of the shares thereunder, the Award may not be exercised in whole or in part and the restrictions on an Award may not be removed unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company in its sole discretion. The Participant shall provide the Company with any certificates, representations and information that the Company requests and shall otherwise cooperate with the Company in obtaining any listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval that the Company deems necessary or

 

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appropriate. The Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause the exercisability or vesting of an Award, to cause the exercise of an Award or the issuance of shares pursuant thereto, or to cause the grant of Award to comply with any law or regulation of any governmental authority.

(c) Withholding. The Committee may make such provisions and take such steps as it may deem necessary or appropriate for the withholding of any taxes that the Company is required by any law or regulation of any governmental authority, whether federal, state or local, domestic or foreign, to withhold in connection with the grant or exercise of an Award, or the removal of restrictions on an Award including, but not limited to: (i) the withholding of delivery of shares of Common Stock until the holder reimburses the Company for the amount the Company is required to withhold with respect to such taxes; (ii) the canceling of any number of shares of Common Stock issuable in an amount sufficient to reimburse the Company for the amount it is required to so withhold; (iii) withholding the amount due from any such person’s wages or compensation due to such person; or (iv) requiring the Participant to pay the Company cash in the amount the Company is required to withhold with respect to such taxes.

(d) Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Florida.

16. GENERAL PROVISIONS

(a) Award Agreements. All Awards granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Award Agreement shall specify the terms and conditions of the Award granted and shall contain any additional provisions as the Committee shall deem appropriate, in its sole and absolute discretion (including, to the extent that the Committee deems appropriate, provisions relating to confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation and similar matters). The terms of each Award Agreement need not be identical for Eligible Individuals provided that all Award Agreements comply with the terms of the Plan.

(b) Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. No dividends or Dividend Equivalents shall be paid to Participants with respect to unvested Awards until such Awards vest. In the event that the Committee provides for the accrual of dividends or dividend equivalents with respect to an Award, such dividends or dividend equivalents shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as, and shall in no event be paid prior to the vesting of, the Award to which they relate.

(c) Exemptions from Section 16(b) Liability. It is the intent of the Company that the grant of any Awards to or other transaction by a Participant who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be exempt from Section 16 pursuant to an applicable exemption (except for transactions acknowledged in writing to be non-exempt by such Participant and sales transactions to persons other than the Company). Accordingly, if any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement does not comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 then applicable to any such transaction, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 so that such Participant shall avoid liability under Section 16(b). In the event Rule 16b-3 is revised or replaced, the Board, or the Committee acting on behalf of the Board, may exercise discretion to modify this Plan in any respect necessary to satisfy the requirements of the revised exemption or its replacement.

(d) Purchase Price. To the extent the purchase price of any Award granted hereunder is less than par value of a share of Common Stock and such purchase price is not permitted by applicable law, the per share purchase price shall be deemed to be equal to the par value of a share of Common Stock.

(e) Deferral of Awards. The Committee may from time to time establish procedures pursuant to which a Participant may elect to defer, until a time or times later than the vesting of an Award, receipt of all or a portion of the shares of Common Stock or cash subject to such Award and to receive Common Stock or cash at such later time or times, all on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine. The Committee shall not permit the deferral of an Award unless counsel for GEO determines that such action will not result in adverse tax

 

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consequences to a Participant under Code Section 409A. If any such deferrals are permitted, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Participant who elects to defer receipt of Common Stock shall not have any rights as a shareholder with respect to deferred shares of Common Stock unless and until shares of Common Stock are actually delivered to the Participant with respect thereto, except to the extent otherwise determined by the Committee.

(f) Prospective Employees. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, any Award granted to a Prospective Employee shall not become vested prior to the date the Prospective Employee first becomes an employee of the Company.

(g) Issuance of Certificates; Shareholder Rights. GEO shall deliver to the Participant a certificate evidencing the Participant’s ownership of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award as soon as administratively practicable after satisfaction of all conditions relating to the issuance of such shares. A Participant shall not have any of the rights of a shareholder with respect to such Common Stock prior to satisfaction of all conditions relating to the issuance of such Common Stock, and, except as expressly provided in the Plan, no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights of any kind for which the record date is prior to the date on which all such conditions have been satisfied.

(h) Transferability of Awards. A Participant may not Transfer an Award other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Awards may be exercised during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant. No Award shall be liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, or liabilities of any Participant, nor shall any Award be subject to legal process or attachment for or against such person. Any purported Transfer of an Award in contravention of the provisions of the Plan shall have no force or effect and shall be null and void, and the purported transferee of such Award shall not acquire any rights with respect to such Award. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Committee may in its sole and absolute discretion permit the Transfer of an Award to a Participant’s “family member” as such term is defined in the Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, under such terms and conditions as specified by the Committee; provided, however, that the Participant will not directly or indirectly receive any payment of value in connection with the transfer of the Award. In such case, such Award shall be exercisable only by the transferee approved of by the Committee. To the extent that the Committee permits the Transfer of an Incentive Stock Option to a “family member”, so that such Option fails to continue to satisfy the requirements of an incentive stock option under the Code such Option shall automatically be re-designated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

(i) Buyout and Settlement Provisions. Except as prohibited in Section 16(k)(ii) of the Plan, the Committee may at any time on behalf of GEO offer to buy out any Awards previously granted based on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine which shall be communicated to the Participants at the time such offer is made.

(j) Use of Proceeds. The proceeds received by GEO from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall constitute general funds of GEO.

(k) Modification or Substitution of an Award.

(i) Generally. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee may modify outstanding Awards. Notwithstanding the following, no modification of an Award shall adversely affect any rights or obligations of the Participant under the applicable Award Agreement without the Participant’s consent. The Committee in its sole and absolute discretion may rescind, modify, or waive any vesting requirements or other conditions applicable to an Award.

(ii) Limitation on Repricing. Unless such action is approved by GEO’s shareholders in accordance with applicable law: (i) no outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan may be amended to provide an Exercise Price that is lower than the then-current Exercise Price of such outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right (other than adjustments to the Exercise Price pursuant to Sections 5(f) and 13); (ii) the

 

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Committee may not cancel any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right when its Exercise Price is equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of the underlying Common Stock and grant in substitution therefore new Awards, equity, cash or other property (other than adjustments pursuant to Section 13); (iii) the Committee may not authorize the repurchase of an outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right which has an Exercise Price that is higher than the then-current fair market value of the Common Stock (other than adjustments pursuant to Section 13); (iv) the Committee may not cancel any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right and grant in substitution therefore new Awards as part of a strategy to materially enhance the position of the holder of such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with respect to their value as of the time of such substitution (other than adjustments pursuant to Section 13), and (v) the Committee may not take any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles (other than adjustments pursuant to Sections 5(f) and 13). A cancellation and exchange or substitution described in clauses (ii) and (iv) of the preceding sentence will be considered a repricing regardless of whether the Option, Restricted Stock or other equity is delivered simultaneously with the cancellation, regardless of whether it is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles, and regardless of whether it is voluntary on the part of the Participant.

(l) Amendment and Termination of Plan. The Board may, at any time and from time to time, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan as to any shares of Common Stock as to which Awards have not been granted; provided, however, that the approval of the shareholders of GEO in accordance with applicable law and the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of GEO shall be required for any amendment (other than those permitted under Section 5 or 13): (i) that changes the class of individuals eligible to receive Awards under the Plan; (ii) that increases the maximum number of shares of Common Stock in the aggregate that may be subject to Awards that are granted under the Plan; or (iii) that proposes to eliminate a requirement provided herein that the shareholders of GEO must approve an action to be undertaken under the Plan. Except as permitted under Section 5 or Section 13 hereof, no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the holder of an Award, alter or impair rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted under the Plan. Awards granted prior to the termination of the Plan may extend beyond the date the Plan is terminated and shall continue subject to the terms of the Plan as in effect on the date the Plan is terminated.

(m) Code Section 409A. The Award Agreement for any Award that the Committee reasonably determines to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” under Code Section 409A (a “Section 409A Plan”), and the provisions of the Plan applicable to that Award, shall be construed in a manner consistent with the applicable requirements of Code Section 409A, and the Committee, in its sole discretion and without the consent of any Participant, may amend any Award Agreement (and the provisions of the Plan applicable thereto) if and to the extent that the Committee determines that such amendment is necessary or appropriate to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A. If any Award constitutes a Section 409A Plan, then the Award shall be subject to the following additional requirements, if and to the extent required to comply with Code Section 409A:

(i) Payments under the Section 409A Plan may not be made earlier than (u) the Participant’s “separation from service”, (v) the date the Participant becomes “disabled”, (w) the Participant’s death, (x) a “specified time (or pursuant to a fixed schedule)” specified in the Award Agreement at the date of the deferral of such compensation, (y) a “change in the ownership or effective control of the corporation, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the corporation, or (z) the occurrence of an “unforeseeable emergency”;

(ii) The time or schedule for any payment of the deferred compensation may not be accelerated, except to the extent provided in applicable Treasury Regulations or other applicable guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service;

(iii) Any elections with respect to the deferral of such compensation or the time and form of distribution of such deferred compensation shall comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A(a)(4); and

(iv) In the case of any Participant who is a “specified employee”, a distribution on account of a “separation from service” may not be made before the date which is six months after the date of the Participant’s “separation from service” (or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death).

 

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(v) For purposes of the foregoing, the terms in quotations shall have the same meanings as those terms have for purposes of Code Section 409A, and the limitations set forth herein shall be applied in such manner (and only to the extent) as shall be necessary to comply with any requirements of Code Section 409A that are applicable to the Award.

(n) Notification of 83(b) Election. If in connection with the grant of any Award, any Participant makes an election permitted under Code Section 83(b), such Participant must notify GEO in writing of such election within ten (10) days of filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service.

(o) Detrimental Activity. All Awards shall be subject to cancellation by the Committee in accordance with the terms of this Section 16(o) if the Participant engages in any Detrimental Activity. To the extent that a Participant engages in any Detrimental Activity at any time prior to, or during the one year period after, any exercise or vesting of an Award but prior to a Change in Control, the Company shall, upon the recommendation of the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, be entitled to (i) immediately terminate and cancel any Awards held by the Participant that have not yet been exercised, and/or (ii) with respect to Awards of the Participant that have been previously exercised, recover from the Participant at any time within two (2) years after such exercise but prior to a Change in Control (and the Participant shall be obligated to pay over to the Company with respect to any such Award previously held by such Participant): (A) with respect to any Options exercised, an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock for which any Option was exercised over the Exercise Price paid (regardless of the form by which payment was made) with respect to such Option; (B) with respect to any Award other than an Option, any shares of Common Stock granted and vested pursuant to such Award, and if such shares are not still owned by the Participant, the Fair Market Value of such shares on the date they were issued, or if later, the date all vesting restrictions were satisfied; and (C) any cash or other property (other than Common Stock) received by the Participant from the Company pursuant to an Award. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that a Participant engages in any Detrimental Activity at any time prior to any exercise of an Award and the Company exercises its remedies pursuant to this Section 16(o) following the exercise of such Award, such exercise shall be treated as having been null and void, provided that the Company will nevertheless be entitled to recover the amounts referenced above.

(p) Disclaimer of Rights. No provision in the Plan, any Award granted hereunder, or any Award Agreement entered into pursuant to the Plan shall be construed to confer upon any individual the right to remain in the employ of or other service with the Company or to interfere in any way with the right and authority of the Company either to increase or decrease the compensation of any individual, including any holder of an Award, at any time, or to terminate any employment or other relationship between any individual and the Company. The grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan shall not affect or limit in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve or liquidate, or to sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.

(q) Unfunded Status of Plan. The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payments as to which a Participant has a fixed and vested interest but which are not yet made to such Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company.

(r) Nonexclusivity of Plan. The adoption of the Plan shall not be construed as creating any limitations upon the right and authority of the Board to adopt such other incentive compensation arrangements (which arrangements may be applicable either generally to a class or classes of individuals or specifically to a particular individual or individuals) as the Board in its sole and absolute discretion determines desirable.

(s) Other Benefits. No Award payment under the Plan shall be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the Company or any agreement between a Participant and the Company, nor affect any benefits under any other benefit plan of the Company now or subsequently in effect under which benefits are based upon a Participant’s level of compensation.

 

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(t) Headings. The section headings in the Plan are for convenience only; they form no part of this Agreement and shall not affect its interpretation.

(u) Pronouns. The use of any gender in the Plan shall be deemed to include all genders, and the use of the singular shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa, wherever it appears appropriate from the context.

(v) Successors and Assigns. The Plan shall be binding on all successors of the Company and all successors and permitted assigns of a Participant, including, but not limited to, a Participant’s estate, devisee, or heir at law.

(w) Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable by any court of law in any jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall be severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and all provisions shall remain enforceable in any other jurisdiction.

(x) Notices. Any communication or notice required or permitted to be given under the Plan shall be in writing, and mailed by registered or certified mail or delivered by hand, to GEO, to its principal place of business, attention: Joseph Negron, General Counsel, The GEO Group Inc., and if to the holder of an Award, to the address as appearing on the records of the Company.

 

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ANNEX A

DEFINITIONS

2014 Award” means any outstanding award under the 2014 Plan that can be settled in Common Stock.

2014 Plan” means the amended and restated The GEO Group, Inc. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, effective May 2, 2014.

“Award” means any Common Stock, Option, Performance Unit, Performance Share, Performance Share Unit, Restricted Stock, Stock Appreciation Right or any other award granted pursuant to the Plan.

“Award Agreement” means a written agreement entered into by GEO and a Participant setting forth the terms and conditions of the grant of an Award to such Participant.

“Board” means the board of directors of GEO.

“Cause” means, with respect to a termination of employment or other service with the Company, a termination of employment or other service due to a Participant’s dishonesty, fraud, insubordination, willful misconduct, refusal to perform services (for any reason other than illness or incapacity) or materially unsatisfactory performance of the Participant’s duties for the Company; provided, however, that if the Participant and the Company have entered into an employment agreement or consulting agreement which defines the term Cause, the term Cause shall be defined in accordance with such agreement with respect to any Award granted to the Participant on or after the effective date of the respective employment or consulting agreement. The Committee shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion whether Cause exists for purposes of the Plan.

“Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the occurrence of any of the following after the Effective Date:

(a) any “person” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than GEO, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of GEO in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of common stock of GEO), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of GEO representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of GEO’s then outstanding securities;

(b) during any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in paragraph (a), (c), or (d) of this Section) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by GEO’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board;

(c) consummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or other business combination of GEO with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of GEO outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of GEO or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of GEO (or similar transaction) in which no person acquires more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the combined voting power of GEO’s then outstanding securities shall not constitute a Change in Control; or

 

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(d) the shareholders of GEO approve a plan of complete liquidation of GEO, and such liquidation occurs, or the consummation of the sale or disposition by GEO of all or substantially all of GEO’s assets other than (x) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of GEO to a person or persons who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of GEO at the time of the sale or (y) pursuant to a spin-off type transaction, directly or indirectly, of such assets to the shareholders of GEO.

However, to the extent that Code Section 409A would cause an adverse tax consequence to a Participant using the above definition, the term “Change in Control” shall have the meaning ascribed to the phrase “Change in the Ownership or Effective Control of a Corporation or in the Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Assets of a Corporation” under Treasury Department Proposed Regulation 1.409A-3(g)(5), as revised from time to time in either subsequent proposed or final regulations, and in the event that such regulations are withdrawn or such phrase (or a substantially similar phrase) ceases to be defined, as determined by the Committee.

“Change in Control Price” means the price per share of Common Stock paid in any transaction related to a Change in Control of GEO.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Committee” means the Committee designated to administer the Plan in accordance with Section 4.

“Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of GEO.

“Company” means The GEO Group, Inc., a Florida corporation, the subsidiaries of The GEO Group, Inc., and all other entities whose financial statements are required to be consolidated with the financial statements of The GEO Group, Inc. pursuant to United States generally accepted accounting principles, and any other entity determined to be an affiliate of The GEO Group, Inc. as determined by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion.

“Covered Individual” means any current or former member of the Committee, any current or former officer or director of the Company, or any individual designated pursuant to Section 4(c).

“Detrimental Activity” means any of the following: (i) the disclosure to anyone outside the Company, or the use in other than the Company’s business, without written authorization from the Company, of any confidential information or proprietary information, relating to the business of the Company, acquired by a Participant prior to a termination of the Participant’s employment or service with the Company; (ii) activity while employed or providing services that is classified by the Company as a basis for a termination for Cause; (iii) the Participant’s Disparagement, or inducement of others to do so, of the Company or its past or present officers, directors, employees or services; or (iv) any other conduct or act determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, to be injurious, detrimental or prejudicial to the interests of the Company. For purposes of subparagraph (i) above, the Chief Executive Officer and the General Counsel of the Company shall each have authority to provide the Participant with written authorization to engage in the activities contemplated thereby and no other person shall have authority to provide the Participant with such authorization.

“Disability” means a “permanent and total disability” within the meaning of Code Section 22(e)(3); provided, however, that if a Participant and the Company have entered into an employment or consulting agreement which defines the term Disability for purposes of such agreement, Disability shall be defined pursuant to the definition in such agreement with respect to any Award granted to the Participant on or after the effective date of the respective employment or consulting agreement. The Committee shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion whether a Disability exists for purposes of the Plan.

“Disparagement” means making any comments or statements to the press, the Company’s employees, clients or any other individuals or entities with whom the Company has a business relationship, which could adversely

 

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affect in any manner: (i) the conduct of the business of the Company (including, without limitation, any products or business plans or prospects), or (ii) the business reputation of the Company or any of its products, or its past or present officers, directors or employees.

“Dividend Equivalents” means an amount equal to the cash or stock dividends paid by the Company upon one share of Common Stock subject to an Award granted to a Participant under the Plan.

“Effective Date” shall mean March 9, 2018, subject to the Plan being approved by the shareholders of GEO in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida.

“Eligible Individual” means any employee, officer, director (employee or non-employee director) or consultant of the Company and any Prospective Employee to whom Awards are granted in connection with an offer of future employment with the Company.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Exercise Price” means the purchase price per share of each share of Common Stock subject to an Award.

“Fair Market Value” means, unless otherwise required by the Code, as of any date, the last sales price reported for the Common Stock on the day immediately prior to such date (i) as reported by the national securities exchange in the United States on which it is then traded, or (ii) if not traded on any such national securities exchange, as quoted on an automated quotation system sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or if the Common Stock shall not have been reported or quoted on such date, on the first day prior thereto on which the Common Stock was reported or quoted; provided, however, that the Committee may modify the definition of Fair Market Value to reflect any changes in the trading practices of any exchange or automated system sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. on which the Common Stock is listed or traded. If the Common Stock is not readily traded on a national securities exchange or any system sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Committee.

“GEO” means The GEO Group, Inc., a Florida corporation.

“Grant Date” means the date on which the Committee approves the grant of an Award or such later date as is specified by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

“Incentive Stock Option” means an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Code Section 422.

“Listing Market” means the New York Stock Exchange or, if the securities of the Company are not then listed on the New York Stock Exchange, such other national securities exchange on which any securities of the Company are listed for trading, and if not listed for trading on any national securities exchange, or an automated quotation system sponsored by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

“Non-Employee Director” means a director of GEO who is not an active employee of the Company.

“Non-Qualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

“Option” means an option to purchase Common Stock granted pursuant to Sections 6 of the Plan.

“Participant” means any Eligible Individual who holds an Award under the Plan and any of such individual’s successors or permitted assigns.

“Performance Award” means an award of Performance Shares, Performance Share Units or Performance Units.

“Performance Goals” means the specified performance goals that have been established by the Committee in connection with an Award.

 

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“Performance Period” means the period during which Performance Goals must be achieved in connection with an Award granted under the Plan.

“Performance Shares” means Restricted Stock that is subject to the achievement of certain Performance Goals being attained during a Performance Period pursuant to Section 9 hereunder.

“Performance Share Unit” means a right to receive a fixed number of shares of Common Stock, or the cash equivalent, that is contingent on the achievement of certain Performance Goals during a Performance Period.

“Performance Unit” means a right to receive a designated dollar value, or shares of Common Stock of the equivalent value, that is contingent on the achievement of certain Performance Goals during a Performance Period.

“Person” shall mean any person, corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity or any group (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), other than a parent or subsidiary.

“Plan” means this The GEO Group, Inc. 2018 Stock Incentive Plan.

“Prospective Employee” means any individual who has committed to become an employee of the Company within sixty (60) days from the date an Award is granted to such individual.

“Restricted Stock” means Common Stock subject to certain restrictions, as determined by the Committee, and granted pursuant to Section 8 hereunder.

Restricted Stock Unit” means a right to receive Common Stock upon vesting or at the end of a specified deferral period, with any risks of forfeiture or other restrictions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose.

“Section 424 Employee” means an employee of GEO or any “subsidiary corporation” or “parent corporation” as such terms are defined in and in accordance with Code Section 424. The term “Section 424 Employee” also includes employees of a corporation issuing or assuming any Options in a transaction to which Code Section 424(a) applies.

“Stock Appreciation Right” means the right to receive all or some portion of the increase in value of a fixed number of shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to Section 7 hereunder.

“Transfer” means, as a noun, any direct or indirect, voluntary or involuntary, exchange, sale, bequeath, pledge, mortgage, hypothecation, encumbrance, distribution, transfer, gift, assignment or other disposition or attempted disposition of, and, as a verb, directly or indirectly, voluntarily or involuntarily, to exchange, sell, bequeath, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, encumber, distribute, transfer, give, assign or in any other manner whatsoever dispose or attempt to dispose of.

 

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