Being unlawfully deprived is very bad! (5)

I believe the answer is:

awful

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

'very bad' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'being unlawfully deprived' is the wordplay.
'AWFUL' is hidden within the letters.
However, I am not sure how this is indicated.

'is' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for awful that I've seen before include "Disgusting" , "Dreadful, really bad" , "Very poor" , "Exceptionally bad" , "Fearsome" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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