What Is the Prison Meal Fee (Subsistence Fee)?
The prison meal fee, also known as the subsistence fee, may only be collected from convicted prisoners who have the financial means to pay, pursuant to Article 2 of Law No. 2548. Collecting this fee from prisoners who lack the financial means to pay is unlawful.
When Does the Right to File a Complaint Arise?
If the Office of the Chief Public Prosecutor forwards the statement of charges relating to the subsistence fee to the Treasury Office without conducting sufficient inquiries into the prisoner’s financial circumstances, the action is unlawful.
In such cases, the prisoner may submit a complaint petition to the execution judge and request the cancellation of the statement of charges.
Which Documents Can Support the Complaint?
- Recommendation Decision of the Ombudsman Institution of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM)
- Social Security Registration and Service Record (available through e-Devlet)
- Certificate of Indigence (if available)
How to Write a Complaint Petition to the Execution Judge?
The petition should include the following:
- The statement of charges number and its legal basis (Article 2 of Law No. 2548)
- A statement that the Office of the Chief Public Prosecutor failed to conduct sufficient inquiries
- An explanation that the prisoner has no assets or income
- References to the Ombudsman Institution and relevant international reports
- A request for the annulment of the administrative action
The prison meal fee (subsistence fee) may only be collected from prisoners who have the financial means to pay. If the prosecutor’s office forwards the statement of charges to the Treasury Office without conducting the necessary inquiries, the prisoner has the right to file a complaint with the execution judge. Submitting the complaint petition together with supporting documents can significantly strengthen the request for annulment.