Andy Dufresne is the primary character of the story. Andy arrives at Shawshank Prison in 1947, after being convicted of killing his wife and her lover. Unlike most of the inmates at Shawshank, Andy is innocent. Andy settles into his two consecutive life sentences. He befriends Red (see below) and several other inmates.
Red is the "the guy who can get stuff" inside Shawshank, and has a good relationship with the inmates and guards. Red and Andy become good friends over the years they spend together in Shawshank. Their friendship started when Andy asked Red to get him a rock hammer, which Andy later uses to cut his tunnel to freedom.
Warden Samuel Norton is a man who believes in money and injustice. He destroys Andy's chance of a re-trial, and possible release, by removing Tommy from Shawshank. Andy gets his revenge by taking all of Norton's embezzled money, when he escapes from Shawshank.
Byron Hadley is the captain of the guard. He is a hard man, although the story occasionally exposes his compassionate side. Hadley carries out the instructions of the wardens, including the shooting of Tommy
Tommy is a young convict who joins the other inmates for a brief time. Andy helps Tommy gain his high school diploma, which Tommy hopes will help him to support his family when he is released.
Brooks Hatlen is the veteran inside Shawshank. He has a rook called "Jake" in the movie, although Jake was a pigeon in the novella. Brooks is the librarian of Shawshank. When he gets paroled he holds a knife to Heywood's neck. Brooks is afraid of life outside of Shawshank, as he has become institutionalized.
Bogs Diamond is the leader of The Sisters, a groups of prison rapists who attack Andy on various occasions. Andy is able to fight them off on several occasions. After Andy helps Byron Hadley with his tax paperwork the guards offer Andy some protection from the aggressive inmates. After Bogs attacks Andy again Byron Hadley beats Bogs to almost death.