The first of the convicts, advanced in years, is put behind bars (5)

I believe the answer is:

caged

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'behind bars' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'the first of the convicts advanced in years' is the wordplay.
'the first of' indicates taking the first letters.
'advanced in years' becomes 'aged' (I've seen this before).
The initial letter of 'convicts' is 'c'.
'c'+'aged'='CAGED'

'is put' is the link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for caged that I've seen before include "in prison" , "Confined behind bars" , "In a zoo?" , "Cooped up" , "Shut up" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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