A Figtree man, also charged in relation to the escape, will appear in court later this month.

Wiles, 25, was arrested after Highway Patrol officers stopped a car on the Five Islands Road off-ramp from the M1 Princes Motorway at Unanderra about 5.10pm on Thursday. 

Two women – a 32-year-old from Wollongong and a 43-year-old from Fairy Meadow – in the car with him were also arrested.

Wiles was taken to Wollongong Police Station and charged with escaping lawful custody. He was refused bail.

The women were spoken to at Lake Illawarra Police Station, where the 32-year-old was charged with aiding an inmate to escape from lawful custody. 

She was also refused bail and will appear before Port Kembla Local Court on Friday.

The 43-year-old woman was released pending further inquiries.

Meanwhile, a Figtree man was charged in relation to the escape late on Thursday night.

The 39-year-old was arrested at a home on Gibsons Road, Figtree, about 11.30pm.

The man was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station and charged with aiding an inmate to escape from lawful custody. 

Granted bail, he is scheduled to appear before Port Kembla Local Court on October 28.

Wiles' arrest brought to an end a 31-hour manhunt, sparked when he fled a work area outside the minimum security section at Goulburn Correctional Centre about 10am Wednesday.