(a) The Parole Board may request the appropriate board or commission having jurisdiction over parole or transfer matters in other states or the United States Parole Commission to make recommendations concerning whether Arkansas inmates confined in prison systems of the other states or in federal prisons should be granted parole or transfer when eligible under Arkansas law.
(b) The Parole Board may take action at its option on the application of an inmate for parole, using as its criteria the recommendations received from the appropriate board or commission of the other states or the United States Parole Commission in lieu of the personal appearance before the Parole Board of the inmate seeking parole or transfer.