Crossword Genius

Force prisoners to drill? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

constrain

'force' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'prisoners to drill?' is the wordplay.
'prisoners' becomes 'cons' (short for convicts).
'to drill?' becomes 'train' (drilling is a kind of training).
'cons'+'train'='CONSTRAIN'

(Other definitions for constrain that I've seen before include "Severely restrict" , "Force" , "Compel - limit" , "Compel; constrict" , "Hold back - non-racist (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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