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HBO's It: Welcome to Derry is packed with connections to the author's extensive universe of narratives. Apart from the obvious ties to the original story, the show also features an explicit connection to The Shining via the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the story unfolds, Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved tale from King that deserves another look.

The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption

Although The Shawshank Redemption may not be considered a horror film, especially in contrast with much of the author's additional work, it is a haunting tale of a wrongfully convicted individual sentenced to live the rest of his life in a infamous penitentiary. It is that very penitentiary which is central in this context, since Shawshank State Prison holds significant history across King's stories — a tradition which persists within It: Welcome to Derry.

Among the tales which mention the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these stories, we discover about the awful life at Shawshank State Prison and several of those imprisoned there, including the boyfriend of a of Pennywise's initial victims, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.

So far, however, the most we have discovered about the prison was via the eyes of Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. The character Andy winds up at the prison after his wrongful conviction, and experiences assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, while exploited by those in officials in power for his financial knowledge. He requires nearly three decades to tunnel his way out from Shawshank, before making his way "through sewage" to take back his liberty.

The Prison's Appearance in Welcome to Derry

In relation to the series, viewers first learned about the prison's inclusion via an initial preview for the series, where a prison bus appeared with the name painted on the side. During the second episode, we learn who is likely destined for Shawshank.

Though we know he did not commit the child deaths initially, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. The preview for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," shows a guard telling a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what they do to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"

The Consequences for the Character and Ronnie

Given that the actual murderer in the town is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and murdering children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he ends up in the prison and the audience do not see him there, knowing what is known about that prison indicates that his experience would not be enjoyable.

Crucially, however, this development could threaten Ronnie. Hank is her guardian. Horrible things are occurring in the town that nobody, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie just has her recently formed of friends to depend on. She will require her dad in the coming episodes, however should the prison system has any say, she may be without help.

One thing seems clear: Hank lacks three decades to tunnel to freedom.

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It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now via the streaming service. New episodes air weekly each Sunday.