To answer your last question: If you think of the Prequel Jedi like the English royals of the last few hundred years, think of the High Republic Jedi as King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The Jedi at this time are at their peak. They are doing the most good, and in the eyes of the people, they are the best they ever were.

As for the government, the Republic is expanding and trying to incorporate more of the outer rim territories. There aren’t major corporations sitting on the senate, and the government is also at its peak.

Also, I totally thought the prisoner was Glenn Howerton until the parasite was removed.