Complicated in the sense that John was no longer even a prisoner in the United States by that point, but was being held in South Nambia, an African country still suffering under Apartheid. He was extradited there after accusations were made that 'Green Lantern' had stolen a diamond from an abandoned mine in the area. Of course that Green Lantern was Hal, but since John was the one with the public identity he was the one who was blamed.

(Oddly enough it was actually John's idea in the first place, which is kind of surprising given how grounded he usually is).

After exhausting any legal means he could think of to get John out, Hal eventually decided the only thing he could do is bring John his ring and lend him part of his power so he could escape. John not only escaped, but released all the other prisoners as well. In the following weeks he became cozy with the leader of the African Nationalist Resistance, not realizing how extreme certain factions of the group were. Eventually a member that John had released murdered a white official and his wife in their bed. Hal blamed himself, considering himself responsible for all of John's actions at that point.

Superman agreed. He gave Hal a 'courtesy call' and told Hal he either had to deal with John and the entire mess or Superman would. Hal was not impressed. Neither was I, since I thought it would have been better (and less condescending) for Clark to talk to John directly, but eh...he probably wanted to avoid adding to the tension as Nambia and America were already involved in a pretty heavy propaganda war and his presence wouldn't have helped matters.

It's an interesting story (Green Lantern Special #1, written by Owsley). I may have to post it at some point.

Also, I need some John icons...