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The series Welcome to Derry is packed with references to the author's extensive universe of narratives. Beyond the clear links to It, the series showcases a direct link to King's famous novel through the appearance of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is integrating one more classic King story that deserves a revisit.

The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption

While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, particularly compared to a lot of King's other work, it is a haunting story about an innocently imprisoned man condemned to live his remaining years inside a infamous prison. And it's that very penitentiary that becomes central here, as Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable lore across King's fictional world — a tradition which persists within Welcome to Derry.

Some of the tales which mention Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these stories, we learn regarding the terrible conditions inside the state penitentiary and some of those imprisoned there, including the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's early victims, who was found guilty of armed robbery.

So far, however, the majority we have discovered about the prison has been via the perspective of Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, and experiences assaulted and raped by other prisoners, and exploited by those in officials in power for his financial knowledge. It takes nearly three decades to tunnel his way out of the prison, prior to crawling "through sewage" to reclaim his liberty.

The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry

In relation to the series, audiences initially discovered about the prison's involvement from an early trailer for the series, in which a prison bus was seen with the name displayed on its side. During the second episode, we learn which character is probably headed to the prison.

Although we know he did not responsible for the child deaths in the first episode, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. The preview for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," shows an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Do you know what they do to child murderers in Shawshank?"

The Consequences for Hank and Ronnie

Considering that the real killer in Derry is a primordial entity originating elsewhere preying on and murdering kids, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he does go to Shawshank and the audience do not see him there, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would be far from enjoyable.

Crucially, however, this situation could threaten his daughter. Hank is her protector. Horrible things are occurring in the town that nobody, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie only has her recently formed of friends to rely on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, however should the prison system has any say, she could be without help.

One thing seems clear: Hank lacks 28 years to dig his way out.

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Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available via the streaming service. Additional installments are released each week each Sunday.