Prisoner has to attract scorn (8)
I believe the answer is:
contempt
'scorn' is the definition.
('contempt' can be a synonym of 'scorn')
'prisoner has to attract' is the wordplay.
'prisoner' becomes 'con' (abbreviation for 'convict').
'has' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'to attract' becomes 'tempt' (I've seen this in other clues).
'con'+'tempt'='CONTEMPT'
(Other definitions for contempt that I've seen before include "Low opinion, sometimes of court" , "ridicule" , "Wilful disrespect of authority" , "'Disdain, disrespect (8)'" , "Disdain or disrespect, perhaps or court" .)