Crossword Genius

Confound prisoner with safety device (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

confuse

'confound' is the definition.
(I know that confound can be written as confuse)

'prisoner with safety device' is the wordplay.
'prisoner' becomes 'con' (abbreviation for 'convict').
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'safety device' becomes 'fuse' (electronic safety device).
'con'+'fuse'='CONFUSE'

(Other definitions for confuse that I've seen before include "Muddle, mix up" , "Disconcert, befuddle" , "Perplex" , "Bewilder" , "Puzzle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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