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HBO's It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous nods to Stephen King's extensive collection of tales. Apart from the obvious ties to the original story, the series showcases an explicit connection to King's famous novel through the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more classic tale from King that deserves another look.

The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption

While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, especially compared to a lot of the author's additional writing, it remains a gripping story of a innocently imprisoned man sentenced to live his remaining years inside a infamous penitentiary. And it's this specific penitentiary which is important in this context, since the Shawshank facility holds considerable history throughout King's fictional world — a tradition which persists within It: Welcome to Derry.

Among the tales that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these stories, we discover regarding the awful conditions at the state penitentiary plus some of those imprisoned there, including the partner of one of Pennywise's initial victims, who had been found guilty for robbery with a weapon.

So far, though, the most we've learned concerning Shawshank was through the perspective of the protagonist in The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy winds up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, then experiences beaten and raped by fellow inmates, while exploited by those in officials in power for his expertise in finance. He requires nearly three decades to tunnel his way out of the prison, prior to making his way "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty.

The Prison's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry

In relation to the series, viewers initially discovered about the prison's inclusion from an initial preview for the show, in which a prison bus appeared bearing the title displayed on its side. During the second episode, we learn which character is likely headed to Shawshank.

Although it is known he did not commit the murders of children initially, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. The preview for episode 3, "Now You See It," shows a guard telling Hank in his cell, "Do you know what happens to child murderers in Shawshank?"

The Implications for the Character and Ronnie

Given that the actual killer in the town is an ancient power originating elsewhere hunting and murdering kids, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. Even should he does go in the prison and viewers do not see him inside, understanding what we do about that prison indicates that his time there would not be enjoyable.

Crucially, though, this situation could threaten Ronnie. Hank is her protector. Horrible things are happening in the town that nobody, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie only has her new group circle of pals to depend on. She will require her father as the story progresses, however should the prison system has any say, she may be without help.

A single fact seems clear: Hank doesn’t have three decades to dig his way out.

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Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. New episodes are released each week each Sunday.