Topeka ? The Douglas County District Attorney’s Office on Friday was awarded a $611,555 grant to develop a statewide computer program for prosecutors to keep better tabs on their cases.

The award was the largest one out of 78 federal Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement grants that totaled $6 million statewide.

Most of the grant funds will go toward improving technology in criminal justice information systems, according to Juliene Maska, administrator for the federal grants program in Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ office.

Douglas County Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney said the grant would be used to develop case-management software that will help prosecutors keep track of data, documents, witnesses and other aspects of cases.

That project will be part of a larger criminal justice case-management system that will be used by courts, prison officials, and law enforcement, officials said.

“I am pleased this program allows us to put needed funding behind essential safety initiatives,” Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said.

Kenney said Douglas County agreed to administer the grant and two of her staff members were developing the software.

“It should be wonderful,” she said.

Additional Byrne grants were awarded to the 7th Judicial District Court in Douglas County, $111,178; the Lawrence Police Department, $37,483; and another $15,000 grant to the District Attorney’s Office.