Hi Philo,
I wonder if this question is related to your recent conversations with the Jehovah Witness?
It is my understanding that they believe that the damned souls are actually annihilated, and basically only the just and saved souls gain eternal life. The reward for a righteous life then would be the gift of immortality. That means that Hell is basically your soul perishing forever, but not true punishment related to your sins while on earth. This, as Marlelar said, runs contrary to Catholic teaching, because we believe that a soul either goes for eternal punishment in Hell, suffers expiation in Purgatory, or enjoys eternal happiness in Heaven. Damned souls go to Hell, and are forever void from the presence of God; not just *disappear* or get annihilated.