Payne Haas’s mother granted TV in prison cell to watch NRL finals

Payne Haas’s mother will be able to watch him play NRL finals for the Brisbane Broncos after a change in her jail conditions.

The scene of the Bonogin crash where three people lost their lives

Payne Haas’s mother will be able to watch him play NRL finals for the Brisbane Broncos after being granted a television in her prison cell.

The Courier-Mail has been told Uiatu “Joan” Taufua – who is on remand while facing charges over the deaths of three people in a car crash – was given the entitlement as she remains alone in a detention unit cell. It comes weeks after she was allegedly involved in a number of altercations with fellow inmates.

Detention unit cells are allocated for prisoners who have been “breached” for bad behaviour, or who are facing other disciplinary matters.

When in the cells, prisoners aren’t able to freely communicate with other inmates in standard units, and some of the cells are not powered, with no TV or radio unless they get approval.

“If behaviour improves prisoners can be moved the powered cells in the DU (detention unit),” an officer said.

The mother of Broncos player Payne Haas, Uiatu “Joan” Taufua, 46. Picture: 9 News

Haas and the Broncos will play for a spot in the NRL grand final on Saturday week.

In June Taufua was moved from Southern Queensland Correctional Centre to Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre following an incident with other prisoners.

A police spokeswoman previously said detectives from its Corrective Services Investigation Unit were investigating an assault at a Spring Creek prison on May 31.

Once returning to Brisbane women’s jail, Taufua is understood to have been involved in another incident with a prisoner as they were lining up to use a phone.

She was then placed in a detention cell at the jail, according to officers.

Taufua has been on remand since last year.

Police allege Taufua fled from a police patrol car on December 30 before crashing into an oncoming vehicle on the Gold Coast hinterland.

Chris Fawcett, his partner Susan Zimmer and her daughter Steffie were in the other vehicle and died.

Taufua has been charged with manslaughter, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evade police and unlicensed driving. She will appear before Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Payne Haas in action for the Broncos

Originally published as Payne Haas’s mother granted TV in prison cell to watch NRL finals