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The series It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous references to the author's vast library of stories. Apart from the obvious ties to the original story, the show includes a direct connection to King's famous novel via the appearance of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved tale from King that deserves another look.

The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption

While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, especially in contrast with much of the author's additional work, it is a gripping tale of a innocently imprisoned individual sentenced to live the rest of his life in a infamous prison. And it's this specific penitentiary which is central here, as the Shawshank facility holds significant lore throughout King's stories — a pattern which persists within Welcome to Derry.

Among the tales that reference the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these narratives, we learn regarding the awful conditions at Shawshank State Prison and some of those imprisoned within, including the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's initial targets, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.

So far, though, the most we have discovered concerning Shawshank was via the perspective of the protagonist in Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. The character Andy ends up at the prison after being wrongly convicted, then finds himself assaulted and abused by other prisoners, and taken advantage of by the authority figures for his expertise in finance. He requires nearly three decades to dig his way out from Shawshank, before making his way "through sewage" to reclaim his freedom.

The Prison's Role in Welcome to Derry

Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, viewers first learned about the prison's inclusion via an early trailer for the series, where a prison bus appeared bearing the title displayed on its side. During the second episode, it is revealed which character is probably headed to the prison.

Although it is known he did not commit the child deaths initially, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. The preview for the next episode, "Now You See It," reveals an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Do you know what happens to child murderers in Shawshank?"

The Implications for Hank and His Daughter

Given that the real killer in the town is a primordial entity from another world preying on and killing children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence appear slim. Even should he does go in the prison and viewers do not see him inside, knowing what we do regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his time there would not be enjoyable.

More importantly, though, this situation would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Horrible things are occurring in the town that nobody, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie only has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, but if Shawshank has any say, she may be without help.

One thing is apparent: Hank doesn’t have three decades to tunnel to freedom.

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Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available via the streaming service. New episodes are released each week each Sunday.