NRL star Payne Haas’ mum Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua undergoes transformation in Brisbane prison

The mother of NRL superstar Payne Haas has undergone an extraordinary transformation while in a detention cell, according to prison officials.

Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua remains in custody facing multiple charges over a fatal car crash that killed three people in Bonogin on the Gold Coast last December.

She was transferred from the Southern Queensland Correctional Center to Brisbane Women’s Prison earlier this year after allegedly clashing with an inmate.

Prison staff have revealed that Taufua has become a routine since she was moved, where she has been training ‘relentlessly’ and losing weight. Courier mail reported.

Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua remains in custody over the fiery crash that left three people dead

Prisoners held in special detention cannot freely communicate with other prisoners, as in standard units. Some cells also have no power and do not have a television or radio.

Detainees are placed in special detention cells for bad behavior ‘violations’ or other disciplinary matters.

It is not known how long Taufua will remain in a detention cell.

“It is usually reviewed monthly, but it could be sooner,” an official told the publication.

“She might even prefer it. She has a routine, does a lot of exercise and has lost weight.”

Taufua is facing three charges of manslaughter after her black Mercedes car crashed head-on into a silver Mercedes and a utility pole in Bonogin, in the Gold Coast hinterland, on December 30.

Prison staff say Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua looks very different now than when she was transported to the guardhouse from Gold Coast University Hospital in January, days after the crash

The three people in the silver Mercedes – Chris Fawcett, 79, his partner Susan Zimmer, 70, and her 35-year-old daughter Stephanie – died in the crash.

Police allege Taufua was “driving erratically” shortly before the crash and sped away after a patrol car activated its lights and sirens in an attempt to pull her over.

Minutes after driving away, police allege Taufua drove onto the wrong side of Bonogin Road around 5pm, where she hit the Mercedes.

She has also been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evading police, driving without a license and mid-range driving under the influence.

At Taufua’s last court appearance, her lawyers expressed concerns about her health and had called in an expert to prepare a medical report.

Her case has been postponed until December 21.

Susan Zimmer, 70, (right) and daughter Stephanie, 35, (left) died in the horror crash

Her son, Brisbane Boncos star Payne Haas, has previously revealed he struggled to come to terms with his mother being behind bars.

“I’m not going to lie and say it’s been easy. It was very tough,” he told Nine Newspapers.

I am lucky to have a good support network around me, I have my partner (Leilani) and daughter (Lalita).

‘I (also) have a close bond with mom, I’m a mama’s boy.’

Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua is the mother of Brisbone Broncos NRL star Payne Haas (pictured playing for Australia last month)