HOW DOES THIS WORK?

I'm not sure how this works.  If you have been convicted of a crime, shouldn't you go to jail.  I am not for or against our former governor.  Maybe someone can explain to me why this "sentencing" has taken so long especially since he was found guilty.  Doesn't being guilty mean doing jail time?  I do not feel the average citizen would get this long if found guilty of a crime and convicted.  This seems to be preferential treatment because he was an elected official.

http://www.nbc12.com/story/29868235/supreme-court-rules-mcdonnell-can-stay-out-of-prison-for-now