If a jail time sentence is shorter, the emotional impact is likely to be ...

If a jail time sentence is shorter, the emotional impact is likely to be lighter.

Explanation:

In a case of shorter jail time sentence, the emotional impact is likely to be lighter as the person would be little tensed or depressed about the imprisonment.

Psychologically, the mind is in the relaxing position knowing the facts that the imprisonment sentence is shorter and the man (person) will free after a shorter period of time. The brain is responding in a positive manner and sending the positive message to the heart and other hormones are responding in a same manner.