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HBO's Welcome to Derry contains numerous nods to the author's extensive library of stories. Apart from the obvious links to the original story, the series showcases an explicit connection to King's famous novel via the appearance of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more beloved tale from King which merits another look.

The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption

Although Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, especially compared to much of King's other work, it is a haunting story about an wrongfully convicted individual sentenced to spend the rest of his life inside a infamous prison. It is this specific institution that becomes important here, as Shawshank State Prison holds considerable lore throughout King's fictional world — a pattern which persists in Welcome to Derry.

Among the stories which mention Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we learn about the awful conditions inside Shawshank State Prison and some of those imprisoned there, including the boyfriend of one of Pennywise's early targets, who had been found guilty for robbery with a weapon.

Thus far, however, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank was through the eyes of the protagonist in The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy winds up at the prison following his wrongful conviction, then experiences beaten and abused by fellow inmates, while taken advantage of by the authority figures due to his financial knowledge. He requires nearly three decades to tunnel an escape route from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through a river of shit" to reclaim his freedom.

Shawshank's Appearance in Welcome to Derry

Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, audiences initially discovered about the prison's inclusion via an initial preview for the series, where a prison bus was seen with the name painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn who is probably destined for Shawshank.

Although we know he did not responsible for the child deaths initially, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. The preview for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer telling a jailed Hank, "Do you know what happens to child murderers in Shawshank?"

The Consequences for Hank and Ronnie

Given that the real murderer in the town is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and killing children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. Even should he does go in the prison and the audience do not see him inside, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his time there would not be pleasant.

Crucially, though, this development would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her guardian. Terrible events are happening around Derry that nobody, young or old, understands and Ronnie only has her new group circle of pals to depend on. She's going to need her dad as the story progresses, but if the prison system has any say, she may be out of luck.

One thing seems clear: Hank lacks three decades to tunnel his way out.

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Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week each Sunday.