A prisoner convicted of murder, who fled from Snowy Oval in Cooma in the state's south, has been recaptured.

Police launched a major search for 34-year-old Adam Bowhay, who is serving a 23 year sentence for the stabbing murder of Steven Jarvis at Casino in 1997.

Bowhay absconded just after one o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, while on a work release program with two other inmates.

He was spotted on Billilingra Road, south of Bredbo, at about 11.30am today by a member of the public.

Bowhay has been charged with escaping custody and larceny, and has been ordered to face Goulburn Local Court tomorrow.