No...actually it didn't. Because the purification to which you refer was accomplished when his sins were forgiven him by the crucifixion of Christ... the thief could not do ANYTHING on his own to add to his "purification." To imply that would be to imply that the death of Christ was insufficient!
"13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
(Colossians 2:13-15 ESV)"
What can a dead person do for their own salvation? Apparently nothing. What did Christ's death do? EVERYTHING.
Hoss
In that case alone, nobody would go to hell. The thief was given entrée to Heaven not because he was forgiven, but because he believed and accepted Christ as his savior, and I think a fair argument could be made that his suffering and punishment were precisely that which brought about his belief. had the thief not been caught and punished, for all we know, he may have continued his life of thievery.
"...the thief could not do ANYTHING on his own to add to his "purification."
I disagree. The thief had to actively acknowledge and accept Christ. Ha he denied Him, he would have ended up like the guy on the left.