Reason given to those being punished (4,3)
I believe the answer is:
what for
This clue is a double definition.
'reason' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)
'given to those being punished' is the second definition.
(to give someone what for is to reprimand them)
(Other definitions for what for that I've seen before include "Punishment that may be given" , "it's a question of purpose" , "Beating" , "reprimand?" .)