It serves as the primary location in the novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King, as well as the film adaptation.

[1] Shawshank State Prison also appears in several episodes of the Hulu original series Castle Rock.

References to the prison can also be found in works of King's son Joe Hill, including the novel NOS4A2 and the 2019 comic Basket Full of Heads.

[4][5] The name "Shawshank" is often used in popular culture as a noun to reference a successful prison break.

[6] The series features cast members from The Shawshank Redemption, including Clancy Brown and William Sadler.