A convicted murderer who escaped while on work release in Sydney’s south will face court today.

Mark Whaley failed to return to Parklea Correctional Centre after leaving the jail on Friday to attend work release duties at Kirrawee.

Officers say Whaley was identified by a member of the public on a train from Central Station and was arrested at Oak Flats last night.

Inspector Paul Allman from Lake Illawarra Police says the public helped police catch the escapee.

“The change in technology and the way we are doing policing now, the assistance from public, social media and the whole-of-government approach allowed this offender to be apprehended,” he said.

Whaley, 45, has served 22 years of a 26-year sentence for murder and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Police say he is due to face Wollongong Bail Court today.