The invention discloses a jail locating node system based on a wireless sensor network. A wireless gateway is in wireless connection with locating nodes. A plurality of wireless routers and the locating nodes are adopted, and the wireless routers are in wireless connection with the locating nodes. Each locating node comprises an MCU processor, a storage device, a communication module, an acceleration speed sensor, a gravity sensor, a battery management unit, a loudspeaker, a microphone, a liquid crystal touch display screen and a camera, the storage devices, the communication modules, the acceleration speed sensors, the gravity sensors, the battery management units, the loudspeakers, the microphones, the liquid crystal touch display screens and the cameras are connected with the MCU processors, and the battery management units are connected with rechargeable batteries. According to the jail locating node system, the network locating and monitoring nodes based on the ZigBee communication technology are adopted, the advantages of being low in cost, low in power consumption, high in safety, long in work distance, rich in function and the like are achieved, and the good effect is obtained in jail monitoring activities.