If we have to choose between certain prison time and probation, we generally like the idea of probation. However, if we never change our ways during our probationary period, we'll likely end up in prison anyway.
In this life, though we may deserve eternal punishment for unrighteous deeds, that punishment doesn't come immediately. We aren't immediately cast in to hell whenever we break a commandment. We get a chance to change. We get a probationary period. At the end of our probation, we must be prepared to meet our Judge. We'll have an Advocate if we choose to accept His terms.