Crossword Genius

Snake that's savage squeezing a prisoner hard (3,11)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

boa constrictor

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'snake' is the definition.
(boa constrictor is a kind of snake)

'savage squeezing a prisoner hard' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'a' is within the answer.
'prisoner' could be 'con' (abbreviation for 'convict') and 'con' is present in the answer.
'hard' could be 'strict' (I've seen this before) and 'strict' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'boor' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'that's' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for boa constrictor that I've seen before include "Medium-sweet sherry" , "Large snake" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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