Soldier in jail atmosphere involved in dire extremes (9)
I believe the answer is:
brigadier
'soldier' is the definition.
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for brigadier that I've seen before include "Officer in charge of army unit, part of division" , "Rank above colonel" , "Army rank" , "High-ranking army officer" , "Air bridge over to the military officer" .)