New reports say Tasmania's Supreme Court is strained and the state's prisons are beyond overcrowded.

Documents from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) tabled in Parliament this week say inmates are double and triple bunked in cells that are barely large enough for one.

The swelling population was linked to a significant increase in summary prosecutions, bail applications and extra sittings of the criminal courts.

“This has been done with no extra staff and has placed considerable strain on all the staff, both administrative and professional,” DPP Darryl Coates said.

A total of 304 bail applications were processed last financial year, a significant increase from the 82 dealt with in 2012-13.

Custodial Inspector Richard Connock also issued a report that paints a damning picture of Tasmania’s prison system as overcrowded and under-resourced.

“Many cells intended for one person are now double bunked and some cells for two people are triple bunked,” he said.

The report warned that the 50-year-old Ron Barwick Minimum Security Prison was struggling to withstand the Tasmanian climate and suffered from access issues.

“The situation at Launceston Reception Prison is even worse and there are real concerns as to whether the facility is fit for purpose,” it said.

The authorities say detainees at Launceston do not have access to natural daylight or fresh air, hot running water in cells, or enough showers and toilets.

Mr Connock also said Mary Hutchinson Women's Prison had outgrown itself and Hobart Reception prison was struggling too.

“It seems clear that Tasmania needs a new facility to accommodate increasing demand,” Mr Connock said.

Tasmania’s Treasurer Peter Gutwein said the Government had made significant investments already.

“Being a prisoner is not a holiday, prison is not a resort,” he said.

The Treasurer said the Government would conduct feasibility studies into the idea of building a new prison.

But the Government is also phasing-out suspended sentences in favour of introduce mandatory sentences for assaults on off-duty police officers, which prisoner advocates will only increase the overcrowding problems.