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HBO's Welcome to Derry is packed with connections to the author's wide-ranging universe of narratives. Beyond the clear links to It, the show also features a direct connection to King's famous novel via the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the narrative unfolds, Welcome to Derry is integrating another classic King story which merits another look.

The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption

While The Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as horror, especially compared to much of the author's additional writing, it remains a gripping story about an innocently imprisoned man sentenced to live his remaining years in a notorious prison. It is this specific institution that becomes central here, since the Shawshank facility possesses significant history throughout King's fictional world — a tradition that continues within Welcome to Derry.

Some of the tales that reference the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these stories, we discover regarding the awful life inside Shawshank State Prison and some of those imprisoned there, such as the boyfriend of one of Pennywise's initial targets, who had been found guilty for robbery with a weapon.

So far, though, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank was through the eyes of Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank following being wrongly convicted, and experiences assaulted and raped by other prisoners, and taken advantage of by the authority figures due to his financial knowledge. It takes him 28 years to tunnel his way out from Shawshank, prior to crawling "through sewage" to take back his liberty.

The Prison's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry

In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, viewers first learned about the prison's involvement via an early trailer for the show, where a prison bus appeared bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn which character is likely headed to Shawshank.

Though we know he did not responsible for the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. The preview for episode 3, "Now You See It," reveals an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers at that prison?"

The Implications for the Character and His Daughter

Given that the actual murderer in the town is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and murdering kids, Hank's prospects of clearing his name appear slim. And even if he does go to Shawshank and the audience don't follow him there, knowing what is known about that prison indicates that his time there would be far from enjoyable.

More importantly, though, this situation could threaten Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Horrible things are occurring in the town which no one, young or old, understands and she only has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She will require her father in the coming episodes, however should the prison system has any say, she may be out of luck.

One thing seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel to freedom.

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Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now via the streaming service. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.