So you think it is allright to put someone literally in jail, after they were just released as hostages and had arguably some reason to miss payments?
How was the court meant to know that? keeping in mind that article was from 1990 and it was a lot harder to share information.
It sounds like the court was sympathetic and he was freed as soon as practicable:
>Sherrill called a family member, who contacted the chief district judge, Sol Cherry. Cherry called the jail and ordered Sherrill's release. He was freed about 7:30 p.m.
"freed as soon as practicable"
They demanded cash only. In the evening.
Practical in my opinion would have been, "yeah sure, as a just released hostage we can sort it all out tomorrow in your case"
But everbody followed their orders and acted as part of the machine.
Which is what happened, after they got in contact with the judge who had the authority to do so.