Many countries will ask "have you ever been denied entry before to [any] country?", and proactively deny you entry. Seems a punishment to me, not necessarily a "mere" formality.
I chose the words "merely denying someone entry to a country" because to me it seems much less severe than a prison sentence and/or denial of possessions, and the imposition of a criminal record.
From the country's point of view, this policy seems like a conservative filter for entrants who might violate regulations, cause damage or even harm the existing residents. But, yes, there are false positives and false negatives to any such policy. And, of course, such a policy might include the provision for an appeal.
