In New York state, sex offenders are required to register with authorities. Violent felons may have to do the same if a proposal introduced in Albany becomes law.

State Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, has advanced legislation that would require A-1 violent felony offenders to register with the state Department of Criminal Justice Services after being paroled or released from a correction facility, hospital or institution.

The idea is for the state agency to inform the public and law enforcement agencies about the offender. Annual registration requirements and other guidelines would let law enforcement and the state know the location of violent felons. In theory, this would help communities better monitor the criminals in their midst.

But there is a danger in stigmatizing convicted felons after they have served their prison time. Are they not entitled to live unencumbered by additional regulations after they have served their sentence?

It is doubtful that knowledge of a convicted felon's location will prevent a crime from happening.

Once an offender has paid the debt to society for a crime, should they not have the chance to live in society without being stigmatized? Or should the laws be tougher and keep violent felons in jail longer?

Keeping tabs on former offenders increases the work load on local law enforcement as well.

Branding someone for a crime that they once committed and have served time for adds yet another sentence. People should be able to go forward with their lives once they have answered for their offense and are released.

They should not have to keep paying for their crime after they have left prison and re-entered society.

If the laws for felony offenses are too lenient, make them stricter. But once people are free, give them a chance to live in peace.