Insincere praise given prison reformer drinking coffee (8)
I believe the answer is:
flattery
'insincere praise' is the definition.
(to flatter someone is to praise them)
'prison reformer drinking coffee' is the wordplay.
'prison reformer' becomes 'Fry' (philanthropist Elizabeth Fry, 1780-1845).
'drinking' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are consumed or drunk).
'coffee' becomes 'latte' (type of coffee drink).
'fry' going around 'latte' is 'FLATTERY'.
'given' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for flattery that I've seen before include "Felt tray (anag.)" , "Soft soap" , "phony praise" , "flannel" , "Obsequious praise" .)