You can still bribe guards, even in rogue prisons, but not through clicking on the option. Sometimes it will automatically happen though, even in rogue prisons.
And yeah, with 1 char you'll feel the pain even more. I had one of those weeks 2 weeks ago, with 1 nearly dying and 2 others in prison. Gave me time to write some RP's though in stead you can send again once he's back.
And yeah, someone opened a portal in Darfix, I was present, but the commoner had fled already once I saw the message.