Police have found the man who escaped while being transported from hospital to Rimutaka Prison on Sunday evening.
Ricky Wilson, 29, was arrested "without incident" in Upper Hutt on Monday afternoon, police say.
He has been charged with escapes custody, and is scheduled to appear in the Hutt Valley District Court on Tuesday.
There was an extensive search for Wilson overnight around the immediate vicinity of the prison and in close proximity, but was stood down when it failed to locate him - despite help from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
Wellington Police on Sunday urged the public to "stay inside", and said the search was focusing on the suburbs of Silverstream and Heretaunga.
"We'd like to thank the public for their assistance and patience," a police spokesperson said in a statement to media.
"We appreciate this was a stressful time for the community while officers searched for the man. As this matter is now before the courts, police don't have any further comment to make."
