WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says he wants the U.S. criminal justice system to become smarter, more effective and just plain fair.

He's also arguing for more opportunity for poor kids, saying police and prosecutors can't shoulder the entire burden for fixing what politicians agree is a criminal justice system in need of repair.

Obama commented during a White House forum Thursday on the criminal justice system. A U.S. attorney from Colorado and the Los Angeles police chief participated in the discussion, which was led by Bill Keller, editor in chief of The Marshall Project. The nonprofit online journalism organization focuses on criminal justice issues in the U.S.

Before the session, a Senate panel cleared legislation that could make nonviolent drug offenders eligible for shorter prison sentences.