You can't go to prison for following orders. If Pence had done what they was told, he would have been within his purview as a subordinate of the POTUS, which is the highest rank you can get Constitutionally. Pence took matters into his own hands and went rogue like Haig and Dock Cheney.
Where does the Constitution circumscribe the VPOTUS ability to consider alternative electors? Nowhere. Pence was playing juicy goosey with his directives.
Same with Barr. He defied the legal directives of his own client. Now he pays the price. Who in their right mind would hire a lawyer who is conflicted with the other team? Good luck getting hired ever again, Barrie.