He spared criminal getting reformed (8)

I believe the answer is:

reshaped

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'reformed' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'he spared criminal' is the wordplay.
'criminal' is an anagram indicator.
'he'+'spared'='hespared'
'hespared' is an anagram of 'RESHAPED'.

'getting' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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