Crossword Genius

Prisoners are about finished making excuses (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

condones

'excuses' is the definition.
('condone' can be a synonym of 'excuse')

'prisoners are about finished' is the wordplay.
'prisoners' becomes 'cons' (short for convicts).
'are about' indicates putting letters inside.
'finished' becomes 'done' (similar in meaning).
'cons' going around 'done' is 'CONDONES'.

'making' acts as a link.

(Another definition for condones that I've seen is " Excuses, overlooks".)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times.
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