What does the cryptic crossword clue "Prisoners, kind to get locked in as mates (8)" mean?

The definition is "mates". The wordplay uses a container (one word inside another). SORT (synonym="kind") in CONS (synonym="prisoners") = CONSORTS; definition: "mates" The answer is CONSORTS.

Prisoners, kind to get locked in as mates (8)

Guardian Cryptic #28972 | 4 Down | 2023-01-20 flower

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