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HBO's Welcome to Derry contains numerous connections to Stephen King's extensive collection of tales. Apart from the obvious links to the original story, the series includes an explicit connection to King's famous novel through the cameo of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story unfolds, Welcome to Derry is weaving in another classic King story which merits a revisit.

The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption

While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered a horror film, especially in contrast with much of the author's additional writing, it is a gripping story about an wrongfully convicted individual condemned to live his remaining years inside a notorious penitentiary. It is this specific institution that becomes central here, as Shawshank State Prison possesses significant lore throughout King's fictional world — a tradition that continues in It: Welcome to Derry.

Among the stories which mention the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we learn about the terrible life inside Shawshank State Prison and some of the inmates there, such as the boyfriend of a belonging to Pennywise's early victims, who had been convicted of armed robbery.

So far, however, the most we've learned about the prison was via the eyes of the protagonist from Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. Andy ends up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, then finds himself assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, while exploited by the officials in power for his expertise in finance. It takes him 28 years to dig an escape route from Shawshank, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to reclaim his liberty.

Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry

Regarding the series, viewers initially discovered about the prison's inclusion from an early trailer for the series, where a correctional transport was seen bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn which character is probably headed to the prison.

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

The Implications for Hank and His Daughter

Considering that the actual killer in Derry is an ancient power from another world hunting and killing children, Hank's chances of clearing his name do not look good. Even should he ends up in the prison and viewers do not see him there, knowing what is known about that prison makes it clear that his experience would not be pleasant.

More importantly, however, this situation would endanger his daughter. Hank is her protector. Terrible events are happening around Derry that nobody, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie only has her recently formed of friends to depend on. She will require her dad as the story progresses, but if Shawshank plays a role, she may be out of luck.

A single fact seems clear: Hank lacks 28 years to dig to freedom.

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Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. Additional installments air weekly on Sundays.