First time in prison? One there before others (5,4)
I believe the answer is:
early bird
'prison? one there before others' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'first time' is the wordplay.
'first' becomes 'early' (associated in meaning).
'time' becomes 'bird' (both are slang for a prison sentence).
'early'+'bird'='EARLY BIRD'
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for early bird that I've seen before include "Worm catcher?" , "communications satellite!" , "first to start in the morning" , "arrived before time" , "one in good time for breakfast" .)