An escapee has been charged after allegedly escaping from a correctional centre in the state's Central West.

The 33-year-old inmate was last seen running into bushland surrounding a correctional complex at Kirkconnell, about 30km east of Bathurst, about 2pm on Friday 4 December.

Officers from Chifley Police District were notified and commenced an investigation.

Following information received, police attended the Great Western Highway, Meadow Flat, about 7.30am on Saturday 5 December, and arrested the man in bushland following a short foot pursuit.

He was taken to Lithgow Police Station and charged with inmate escape/attempt to escape from lawful custody.

The man was refused bail and appeared at Dubbo Local Court, Saturday 5 December, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at Lithgow Local Court on Thursday 10 December 2020