[OldDeckHand]

"The parole board was forced to vote on parole, triggered by Huckabee’s clemency request."

I'm not questioning you, but I am curious about the specific approval process in this instance.

In my state, OH (and most of the other states in which I'm familiar), the governor's capacity for granting clemency (or a pardon) is not absolute. They may only do so after an application has been made (not by the governor) to the parole board (or some other designated review committee). After that approval is granted, it then comes to the governor's desk for approval or denial.

It sounds as if it works backwards in AR - a state in which I have no familiarity. Is that correct?

[OldDeckHand]

Typo...that should have read...

for granting clemency (commutation or a pardon)