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HBO's It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous nods to Stephen King's extensive collection of tales. Beyond the obvious links to the original story, the show includes an explicit connection to The Shining via the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the story progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more beloved tale from King that deserves a revisit.

The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption

While Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as a horror film, especially in contrast with much of King's other writing, it is a gripping story of a wrongfully convicted individual sentenced to live his remaining years inside a notorious penitentiary. And it's this specific institution which is central in this context, as Shawshank State Prison holds significant lore across King's fictional world — a tradition that continues within Welcome to Derry.

Among the stories which mention Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these stories, we learn about the awful life at Shawshank State Prison and some of those imprisoned there, such as the boyfriend of a belonging to Pennywise's early victims, who was convicted of armed robbery.

So far, however, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank has been through the perspective of Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy winds up at the prison after being wrongly convicted, and finds himself assaulted and abused by other prisoners, while taken advantage of by those in authority figures due to his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to dig his way out of the prison, prior to making his way "through a river of shit" to reclaim his freedom.

Shawshank's Appearance in Welcome to Derry

In relation to the series, viewers initially discovered about the prison's involvement via an early trailer for the show, in which a prison bus was seen with the name painted on the side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is likely destined for the prison.

Although it is known he was not responsible for the murders of children initially, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. The preview for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," reveals a guard telling a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what happens to kiddie killers at that prison?"

The Consequences for the Character and His Daughter

Given that the actual killer in the town is a primordial entity originating elsewhere hunting and killing children, Hank's chances of clearing his name appear slim. Even should he does go to Shawshank and the audience don't follow him inside, understanding what we do about that prison makes it clear that his experience would be far from enjoyable.

Crucially, though, this situation could threaten his daughter. He acts as her protector. Terrible events are happening in the town which no one, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie only has her recently formed of friends to rely on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, but if Shawshank plays a role, she may be without help.

A single fact is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to dig his way out.

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Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly each Sunday.