Interesting math from the Washington Post

According to the Post, Stanislav Shpigelman ( a beautiful name by the by) has been "sentenced to 3 1/2 years and one month in prison." What the hell is that? Why not say 3 1/4 years and four months in prison? Or 3 years and 7 months. I guess they are having fun with fractions. What about 3 7/12 years in prison? Are they jackasses or is it me? What a second...don't answer that.