On July 7, 1952, a full-scale riot broke out in an Ontario prison resulting in the prison becoming partially ruined and causing expensive repairs. The situation seemed dire when police couldn’t end the riots and feared the prisoners would escape or kill the guards.
Tear gas was used but was completely ineffective and the prison continued to be consumed by riots. Up to 1000 inmates participated. The guards even threatened to fire on the inmates after several had escaped, but they still could not be controlled. It was not until the superintendent of the prison came out that the entire affair was over within seconds.
He simply asked them to stop and to restore order. He was so respected by the prisoners that as quickly as it had begun, the entire riot was over and everything went back to normal!