What is the term for a sentence that includes a short period of incarceration followed by probation?

The correct term for a sentence that consists of a short period of incarceration followed by probation is a split sentence. This type of sentence allows the court to impose a combination of jail time and probation, meaning the individual serves a portion of their sentence behind bars and then is released under supervision to complete the remaining portion of their sentence in a non-custodial setting. This approach aims to balance the need for punishment with the opportunity for rehabilitation.

Other terms like a suspended sentence refer to sentences that are not executed as long as the defendant follows certain conditions, while a mandatory sentence is one that is required by law and does not offer flexibility in duration or conditions. An indeterminate sentence involves a range of time that a person may serve, which is not set as a fixed term. In these contexts, "split sentence" is the specific terminology that accurately describes the combination of brief incarceration followed by probation.