The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word CAGES
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
C
A
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Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Imprisons" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case imprisons = cages.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does CAGES mean?
CAGES noun- An enclosure made of bars, normally to hold animals.
- The passenger compartment of a lift.
- (water polo) The goal.
- An automobile.
- Something that hinders freedom.
- The area from which competitors throw a discus or hammer.
- An outer framework of timber, enclosing something within it.
- A skeleton frame to limit the motion of a loose piece, such as a ball valve.
- A wirework strainer, used in connection with pumps and pipes.
- The drum on which the rope is wound in a hoisting whim.
- The catcher's wire mask.
- A regular graph that has as few vertices as possible for its girth.