An inquest into the death of an inmate at Rochester Young Offenders' Institution seven years ago has still not been held.

Inspectors have branded it "unacceptable" there has been no public hearing since 19-year-old Anthony Dunne was found hanged in his cell in September 2004.

The Independent Monitoring Board, made up of local volunteers, said Medway Coroner's Court must "meet its responsibilities at the earliest opportunity".

Mr Dunne, who was originally from Dublin and was checked every 10 minutes by guards, was found hanging from bars on his cell window.

Despite numerous resuscitation attempts, he died at the scene.

Concerns were first raised by the IMB about a delay in publishing an internal report into the custody death at HMP Rochester, in Fort Road, in 2006.

Now it is seeking an assurance steps will be taken towards an inquest being held.

A Mid Kent and Medway coroner's office spokesman said Patricia Harding took office on May 1, adding: "She is aware of this unfortunate situation and will do everything in her power to ensure that this inquest is given priority."

The IMB's annual report of HMP Rochester lists a catalogue of problems at the facility, including criticism of:

* new cells needing major repairs just two years after construction
* too few "purposeful" activities for inmates to help rehabilitation
* attempts to bring illegal drugs and mobile phones into the institute
* a gang culture among some inmates, especially those from London
* a high turnover of inmates, with average stays down from 21 weeks to 17 in a year, which the board says reduces the chances of rehabilitation

However, the report found HMP Rochester was generally continuing to improve.

Euan Eddie, IMB chairman, said: "Rochester continues to be one of the best performing Young Offender Institutions nationally and the management and staff are to be commended on the imaginative ways they have tried to minimise, in what has been a difficult year, the effect of the severe budget reduction imposed on the Prison Service."

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "We thank the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Rochester for their report which will be fully considered by ministers. We will respond to the board in due course."