Prison - for a mere cut? (4)
I believe the answer is:
nick
This could be a double definition.
'prison' is the first definition.
(slang term for prison)
'a mere cut?' is the second definition.
'nick' can be an answer for 'cut?' (nick is a kind of cut). I'm not certain of the 'a mere' bit.
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for nick that I've seen before include "Small boy" , "Slight cut" , "Steal (informal)" , "chip" , "Christmas saint?" .)