A system that subjects a certain class of convicts to particular scrutiny and social ostracism is worrying. In the case of the Megan's Law registry, the value of informing the community about the whereabouts of sex offenders may outweigh its negative consequences.

Under Megan's Law, those convicted of certain sex-related offenses provide state police with their address and an updated photo for varying terms. Some must register for 10 years, while others must continue throughout their lives. The state police operates a Megan's Law Web site (www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us) that includes databases of information about registered sex offenders. Visitors can search by county, municipality or ZIP code.

However, not all information on the Web site is up-to-date.

The Daily Item included a list of sex offenders living in the city of Sunbury in stories published about a city ordinance prohibiting sex offenders from living or loitering near areas where children congregate. At least two of the offenders on the list allegedly moved without notifying state police. One was tracked down by police after a newspaper reader told police the man no longer lived at the address included in the news coverage.

The registry's value hinges on its accuracy and accessibility. Not all residents have access to the Internet. As a result, The Daily Item will begin publishing the Megan's Law list of offenders. The information should not be used to harass or intimidate registrants. Residents are encouraged to notify police, though, if the information is incorrect.

The value of the Megan's Law registry may be debatable. As detailed in recent stories, classification as a sex offender impacts some who have committed no crime -- most notably, the offenders' loved ones. In some cases, offenders are deemed suitable custodian parents by social service agencies -- those children are burdened by a stigma that is in no way their making.

Such warts are regrettable and, to some extent, suffered by all those unfortunate enough to share familial ties or affection with those who stray onto the wrong side of the law.